***1/2 Fred Hersch

FRED HERSCH PLAYS RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN

(Nonesuch)

After working with an all-star cast on Passion Flower, the Billy Strayhorn tribute he released earlier this year, pianist Hersch goes it alone on this marvelous homage to one of Broadway's great composing teams. His daring recasting and explorations of the tunes are intimate, tempered with respect, and engagingly witty. "Shall We Dance" is full of twists and turns of phrase, ritards and accelerations of tempo, and rhythmic shifts that make it a quiet delight. His version of "Loneliness of Evening" blends composition and improvisation. In contrast, "A Cock-Eyed Optimist" leaves the tune far behind as the dancing improvisation grows more complex and optimistic. No matter how far out he ranges, Hersch always finds his way back -- yet he keeps you in an agony of suspense wondering how his introduction to "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" will yield to the melody. Lo and behold, two-thirds of the way through the track, the tune trots into view.

-- Ed Hazell

(Fred Hersch plays a free solo concert at Jordan Hall this Tuesday, October 1, at 8 p.m.)