Sylvie Courvoisier - Amalthea (2026)

Sylvie Courvoisier and Patricia Brennan: The Art of Taking Chances on Amalthea

Sylvie Courvoisier is unquestionably one of the most talented musicians of her generation. That alone would be reason enough for me to pay attention to a new recording, but the presence of vibraphonist Patricia Brennan makes Amalthea an even more enticing proposition. Here are two artists whose musical personalities are strong enough to sustain projects of their own, yet who seem to find particular inspiration in working together. Add bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Dan Weiss, both musicians of uncommon imagination, and I hardly need another reason to listen. What I did not want was simply another album on which four accomplished players take turns demonstrating what they can do. We have heard plenty of those, and technical mastery, however impressive, is rarely enough to sustain my interest for long. Fortunately, that is not what happens here. From the first notes of “La Chimère aux yeux verts,” the quartet establishes a musical identity that is both demanding and inviting. The writing is intricate without becoming a puzzle for its own sake, and the performances have a collective coherence that matters more than any individual display of virtuosity. Formerly known as Poppy Seeds, the group has developed into a project in which the musicians’ distinct personalities serve the music rather than compete for attention. What interests me most is the quality of their interaction: the sense that every instrument has a reason to be there, and that the music would be diminished if any one of them were missing.

Sylvie Courvoisier: piano, composition
Patricia Brennan: vibraphone
Thomas Morgan: double bass
Dan Weiss: drums