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Thursday December 27th, 2001
Michael Feinstein: Pushing the boundaries of pop
by Mark Hunter for baldwinpiano.com
At this point in Michael Feinsteins career, youd figure he would relax a bit, take some time off, rest on his laurels. Right? After all, hes performed for three U.S. presidents, entertained Englands Queen Mother, sold out Carnegie Hall and recorded a stack of critically acclaimed CDs. But does he relax? No way. If anything, hes reaching further, immersing himself in alternative mediums of expression and exploring new ways to enhance his take on classic American Pop music.
Feinstein's celebrated and third all-Gershwin release, Michael & George--Feinstein Sings Gershwin, differs from their predecessors in that it placed greater emphasis on digitally created sounds and advanced production techniques. Feinstein, initially cautious of the technology, soon warmed to it.
Ive learned that its a lot easier to work with technology than I thought, explains Feinstein. I was fearful of it. But I realized that like anything else, you bring someone in who knows how to do it and then they can translate it - its just having a new form of expression. I feel that if George Gershwin were alive today, he would have taken full advantage of the capabilities that exist in the world of technology that blur into the world of music.
Feinsteins interest in technology soon manifested itself on the concert stage at New Yorks prestigious Rainbow & Stars. He performed with Baldwins ConcertMaster reproducing player piano system. The system is installed on a Baldwin upright piano. George Gershwins music, originally on piano rolls, was transferred to digital information which was played by the ConcertMaster-equipped piano. Feinstein performed on his Baldwin Artist Grand.
It enabled me to be accompanied by George Gershwin in performance, says Feinstein. Also, I prepared a couple of duets with him by adapting the recordings so he plays one piano part and I play the other. . . Theres a famous photograph of Gershwin sitting at an upright with a cigar in his mouth that I think of when I look at the upright with ConcertMaster.
Although hes a world-renowned interpreter of songs, Feinstein is delving deeper into his own music and featuring more original compositions in his live show. We asked Feinstein if his role as a modern-day songwriter differs from that of earlier composers such as Gershwin, Irving Berlin or Cole Porter.
Well, I think the purpose of a songwriter is to always say something fresh. The most common subject for a song is love. Every creator of a love song grapples with the challenge of saying I love you, in a new, fresh way. Frequently, they dont succeed. (laughs) So it is a challenge in that sense.
My desire as a writer is to retain the craft that a lot of songwriters had in the 20s and 30s and create contemporary work out of that form, even though Im not interested in writing exclusively for popular songs. Im interested in other musical forms.
These alternate forums include movie soundtracks. Feinstein reports that he has scored his first film, and would like to pursue further opportunities in this field.
It certainly isnt the first time that he has ventured into new mediums of expression. His first book, Nice Work If You Can Get It (Hyperion) was published in 1995 and positively received by both critics and fans.
But what is the source of his intense motivation and exploration?
Fear. (laughs) No, Ive had an obsession with music as far back as I can remember, says Feinstein. My earliest memories involve music. It seems inevitable to me that I would have been involved with music in this life because it truly is my ruling passion. And its not a financial passion. When I started playing in piano bars it certainly didnt seem like a great career move. But things evolved and Ive been very grateful that Ive been able to maintain a career.
For me, the best part of being a musician is connecting with other people through the music. To feel the synergy that happens with an audience is extraordinary because it is a communication that transcends words. And that is joyous.
