High Plains

A subtle emotional dichotomy seems to be at work in the reflective solo piano works found on this, the 1985 debut recording from Montana-born pianist Philip Aaberg. Many of Aaberg's contemplative selections carry a faint, bittersweet flavor, suggesting that something beautiful or treasured is slowly slipping from our collective grasp, perhaps due to complacency, ambivalence, avarice, or neglect. High Plains conveys Aaberg's deep attachment to his native landscapes, and affecting, wistful pieces such as "Remembering This Place," "The Big Open," and the three-part "Three from the Hills" (with its middle section subtitled "Once It's Gone...") all spell out the pianist's implied notion that we may never again have things quite good as we have them now--though what we now have can be exquisite, gorgeous, and humbling. Musically, Aaberg's sense of melody is elusive though never beyond our grasp. His compositions speak softly and evocatively, likely in search of a properly attuned ear. Other than the forcefully played "Westbound," Aaberg's music here is a worthwhile experience. --Terry Wood