Hors-piste, which can be translated as off the beaten track, applies at least to some extent to the concept and music of this CD, which consists of pieces for piano and accordion. Jean-Christophe Renault's compositions may not be quite as off the beaten track as
Guy Klucevsek's pieces for the same instruments, but the combination itself is pretty unusual and makes it hard to pigeonhole the CD. Renault primarily uses the vocabulary of jazz and pop, with some folk elements thrown in, and the result is more often bland than compelling. His arrangement of Schubert's Der Leiermann is symptomatic of the conventionality of his approach; it seems like the song ought to be a natural for the addition of an accordion, but Renault simply has it playing the vocal line (with some annoying grace notes) over the standard accompaniment, with some fast and mood-disrupting variations thrown in. The remaining pieces, all original compositions by Renault, are small character pieces that are pleasant but facile sounding. The pieces leave the impression that they would have been more engaging if the composer had ventured a little further off the beaten track to explore some more adventurous uses of the instruments and less clichéd musical material. Accordionist
Didier Laloy and pianist Renault play passionately and expressively. The sound is intimate and the balance is good.