Anne Akiko Meyers, Akira Eguchi - Smile (2009)

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers' Koch release Smile continues, to some extent, from her previous Avie issue Birds in Warped Time in that she is attempting to expand beyond the constraints of typical classical CD programming -- combining a couple of big works, or collecting a bunch of little ones, "encores" -- into something more imaginative and in more keeping with her own taste and personality. With that, Meyers has invested some measure of muscle into developing repertoire that fits her generous, yet transparent tone with the same degree of comfort as one of her designer-made concert gowns. Here we have an arrangement of the Japanese melody "Kojo No Tsuki," made by Meyers herself in collaboration with Shigeaki Saegusa, for solo violin. With all apologies due to accompanist Akira Eguchi, this solo violin track is one of the loveliest things that Meyers has ever done. Not that Eguchi does not get to shine, which he does in Meyers' performance of Franz Schubert's C major Violin Fantasy, a work dating from a gloomy period in Schubert's life all too often written off as a succulent bonbon designed to please the Viennese public -- indeed, Meyers locates the work's dark side. Yet she likewise finds the sunlight peeking through the stained glass window of the cathedral in Olivier Messiaen's Fantaisie (1933), a violin and piano piece wholly unknown until it was discovered in 2007 and recorded for American audiences here for the first time. It is early, but recognizable as Messiaen's from the first bar and even hinting at some of his later tendency towards eclecticism, referencing as it does a twisted-up line of chant melody in its opening and borrowing a figure from Richard Strauss' "Till Eulenspiegel's Lustige Streiche." Elsewhere we have a reading of Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel that is as smooth and undisturbed as the surface of a mirror, or perhaps a particularly motionless pool of water, sparkling renditions of a pair of tasty Piazzolla tangos and tasteful, respectful recastings of popular songs, Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow" and the title track, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" as arranged by Claus Ogerman.
Every moment of Smile is generous, warm, and entertaining; as a whole, this album strikes a strong balance between ambition and amusement, none too wonky for fans with only a casual contact with classical, yet meaty enough to engage the eggheads. Smile is Meyers' 13th album; not too many artists who embark on their careers as prodigies get to survive as long, or to record as often, as Meyers, and you get the sense that she appreciates it, and us. Smile is very a well planned, well recorded -- though one could argue for a bit more of the accompaniment here and there -- and a beautifully played program that is emotionally fulfilling, substantive, and never boring. For those interested in attending one of Meyers' concerts, this is an ideal disc to get to know her with, but Smile would be just as good for late night reading or snuggling, as it combines the qualities of a wonderfully intimate feel, graciousness, and Meyers' own personal charisma. Bravo!