An emotional bossa,
Passionata has the melodic tenderness and simplicity of a classic Brazilian composition. The harmonies, which have a nearly classical sense, evoke a deep romanticism and nostalgia. A masterful composition.
Our main audio excerpt comes from the track Kenny used to end the album, played by the trio accompanied by strings. It starts with the introduction which features piano fills over the two-measure bass line figure that plays a prominent role in the composition. The melody constantly evolves over 74 measures; the form is clearly indicated in our lead sheet editions.
The album starts with another take of the same composition, by the trio only. After a beautiful
rubato treatment of the first two and last sections of the melody (which sets up the tempo), Kenny plays one chorus of the melody with the trio. Here's an excerpt from the beginning of this gorgeous trio version
trio.
From Kenny Drew, Jr.'s liner notes on the "
Passionata" CD: "Going through my father's things after his death in 1993, I saw a sheet of manuscript paper on his piano with the title
Passionata and the bare outline of a melody and a few chord changes. Apparently this was to be the title tune of an album which he was preparing to record. Unfortunately, his death prevented the completion of this project. I took the liberty of completing the unfinished tune and using the title
Passionata for a tribute to my father, Kenny Drew, one of the great unsung heroes of jazz piano."
