The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Philharmonie im Gasteig

Recorded at the Philharmonie im Gasteig during the Munich Klaviersommer in 1989, the Oscar Peterson Trio settles into a wide-ranging set that moves naturally between originals and familiar songs. Peterson’s own pieces, from the laid-back swing of Oasis Blue to the exuberant drive of Mississauga Rattler, sit alongside standards by Gershwin, Ellington and Victor Young. Medleys unfold at an unhurried pace, themes passing easily between piano, bass and drums, with Bobby Durham and Steve Wallace giving the music lift and flexibility. The recording catches the trio in relaxed form, combining polish, momentum and a strong sense of shared enjoyment.