Lars Danielsson and Paolo Fresu are two musicians who choose the notes they play with extreme care. ‘Summerwind’, their first joint studio project, brings the Swedish master bassist/cellist’s gorgeous sound on both instruments and his fine sense for simple and haunting melodies into a partnership with the bright, airy tones of one of Europe’s most lyrical trumpeters whose way of ‘playing it cool’ has such distinctive expressiveness.

Together, Danielsson and Fresu don’t just create atmosphere and colour; there is also feeling here – and real depth. Both the music and the interplay between these players are, one might say, such stuff as dreams are made of.

The duo context offers extensive space for the players to let their musical ideas develop. Yet the decisive element for both of these musicians is not that they should play a lot but that the focus should remain on what they play. Fewer notes are far more effective than many and that is how the poetry develops from both instrumentalists as they create a mood that is almost meditative.

Producer Siggi Loch had the idea of bringing these two musicians into the studio together. He has a knack for identifying musical soulmates and this collaboration proves it again: the pair built up an almost telepathic relationship during the recording. That feeling is palpable, for example, in the piece ‘Dardus6’, which was created spontaneously in the studio and in which all of Danielsson’s and Fresu’s combined trust is given over to the wisdom of the moment. In addition to pieces composed especially for this duo by both musicians, ‘Summerwind’ features interpretations of especially selected and well known originals, from a Bach cantata to a Swedish folk song to film music by Krzysztof Komeda.

On ‘Summerwind’, enchanting melodies flow with an instinctive and natural grace and elegance. They develop in long arcs which bring a sense of profundity and contemplation. In a world in constant danger of overheating, Danielsson’s and Fresu’s music is a fresh and soothing breeze.