Oscar Peterson - The Best of The MPS Years

The legendary Exclusively For My Friends series was the first release for Brunner-Schwer's newly-established MPS label. Never before had a recording captured every aspect of Peterson's ground-breaking sound so vividly: the virtuosity and the speed as well as the delicate inspiration he brings to the subtle and reflective moments. The touch of light-hearted wit and the depth of lyrical feeling. Elegance and swing, interspersed with moments of intensity and explosive outbursts. The art of improvisation - simultaneously confident and imaginative - fuelled by harmonic and ornamental inventiveness.

Since Oscar Peterson was still under contract to Verve Records at the time, the recordings made in the Black Forest with Matthias Brunner-Schwer, could not be released before 1968. These recordings, made over a short period of five years, also reflect the transformation from equal member of a trio to soloist.

It was 1961 when Oscar Peterson came to Villingen, Germany the first time. Hans-Georg Brunner-Schwer, former owner of the hifi dynasty SABA, had just set up the first version of his studio, equipped with the most advanced recording technology of the time. This was the bait used by the piano enthusiast to attract the famous pianist to the Black Forest.

After a performance in Zurich, Peterson climbed into a limousine and embarked on a journey across the mountains. As soon as he arrived, along with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen, the international star was led to the Steinway grand in the living-room where a number of excited guests were eagerly waiting. “I listened to him play ’til four o’clock in the morning and lost the desire to ever hear the Beatles again!”, says Matthias Brunner-Schwer, HGBS’ son, still starry-eyed half a century later. The legendary pianist himself was equally delighted when he listened to the recording of the nocturnal living-room performance, never before having heard such a direct and pristine piano sound on tape. Peterson’s enthusiastic response marked the beginning of a long-term friendship and spiritual kinship with Brunner-Schwer.

Heavyweight double vinyl produced by MPS Records in 2023.

TRACKLISTING:

1. All the Things You Are
2. Triste
3. Day by Day
4. The Windmills of Your Mind
5. Wave
6. Fly Me to the Moon
7. I've Got a Crush on You
8. Wandering
9. Alice in Wonderland
10. Sometimes I'm Happy
11. Give Me the Simple Life
12. A Child Is Born
13. Eleanor Rigby
14. Exactly Like You
15. I Love You
16. On a Clear Day
17. Ode to Billy Joe
18. Children's Game