With dazzling strings, woodwind and horn drawn from the membership of the Berlin Philharmonic, Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala continues his long tenure on the German ACT label with this 2023 live recording that took place in the larger of the two halls at the Philharmonie just over three months ago. Venice as in the city themed, it isn't a classic pizza that you might get served at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in case you were wondering, it features Rantala's typically playful compositional creations beyond pastiche often wittily entitled such as 'Mozart Loses His Mojo'. But, the elephant in the room, has the mercurial Finn?

Far from it. But this isn't at all the best exposure to his twinkling charms on a recording because it's not really a jazz album at all let's not kid ourselves although there is that touch and sensibility personal to this most magical improviser. For Rantala at his jazz best there is plenty of choice but go back to his brilliant Trio Töykeät Emarcy 1990s days particularly the greater wow factor you will find on Jazzlantis.

If you are the kind of jazz fan who doesn't listen to classical music much then you will feel that this is a recording for a different kind of listener. And the Finn's piano playing does get crowded out too much. As to highlights: the bassoonist Selim Aykal has fun on 'Casanova and Lorenzo' and even the stoniest of hearts will too. Oboist Sofia Zamora Meseguer provides one of the best moments on the pivotal death in Venice track that again concentrates the mind but isn't at all gloomy. Thomas Mann - no need at all to eat your heart out. SG

Iiro Rantala, photos Jari Kivelä and ACT

MORE READING:

• Iiro Rantala live at the Model in Sligo - 2015 review
• Iiro Rantala/Michael Wollny/Leszek Możdżer Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic I - review from 2013