Record Reviews

BARBARA THOMPSON / APOLLO SAXOPHONE QUARTET ~ THREE QUARTETS CELESTIAL HARMONIES 13263 (Barcode: 013711326321) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2003 Released: 2006 This is an album featuring music composed by British Jazz saxophonist / flautist / composer Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, performed by the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist, which comprises of Rob BucklandFind albums by this artist (alto), Andy ScottFind albums by this artist (tenor), Dave RoachFind albums by this artist (baritone) and Tim RedpathFind albums by this artist (soprano). The material presents three saxophone quartets, in five, six and four movements, a total of nineteen tracks. The music was recorded by Barbara’s husband Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist at St. Margaret’s Church, Chipstead, Surrey and the album, also produced by Hiseman, offers spectacular sound quality. Thompson, primarily known as one of the most prominent British Jazz musicians and leader of ensembles, had also less familiar sides to her extensive musical persona, like her interest in Classical Music, which is brilliantly exposed on this album. Following her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 1997, which she incredibly bravely fought until her death in 2022, with the understanding that her career of playing live music will suffer, she decided to devote more time into composing, which, among other things, resulted in composing these three saxophone quartets in the early 2000s. The structure of these quartets follows to some degree the concept of a classic string quartet, with four instruments, each playing a distinct part, performing in perfect harmony. Of course in the case of the saxophones, the range between the soprano and the baritone offers a much wider scale and infinite possibilities, which Thompson facilitates herein with pure genius. Although the music is strictly written, following the Classical formulas, and there is no improvisation per se, the music manages to swing and swirl in a Jazzy manner, so characteristic to Thompson’s inner self. So despite the music being Classical by form, it is Jazzy by emotion and soul, somewhat in a similar fashion like “Rhapsody In Blue”, by George GershwinFind albums by this artist, which is one of the most brilliant examples of Classical Music, which swings madly. The music is of course absolutely wonderful, from start to finish, superbly performed by the members of the quartet, and offers an emotional depth and aesthetic perfection, which creates a feeling of elation and bliss on an exceptional scale. Overall, this is a sublime piece of music and perhaps another way to remember Barbara Thompson for all she has done for music lovers during her life and eternity, leaving such a brilliant legacy. This album is a breathtaking musical experience!

Updated: 04/10/2024Posted: 04/10/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KEITH TIPPETT ~ THE MONK WATCHES THE EAGLE DISCUS 102 (Barcode: 5051078984025) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2020 This is a sensational archive album by British Jazz pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, which presents a live recording of his composition for large choir, solo voice and a two saxophone quartets, with lyrics by Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist. The work was commissioned for the 2004 edition of the Norwich and Norfolk Festival and was premiered that year at the Norwich Cathedral where it was also recorded for broadcast by the BBC. Tippett conducted the performance, which included Julie Tippetts on solo vocals, the BBC SingersFind albums by this artist choir, an improvising saxophone quartet comprising of Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, Ben WaghornFind albums by this artist and Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, and also the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music is every bit as innovative, far-reaching and groundbreaking as the rest of Tippett´s musical legacy and this posthumous release expands even further the scope of his musical vision, which encompassed enormous variety of works between solo piano music to extremely large ensembles like CentipedeFind albums by this artist or smaller ensembles like ArkFind albums by this artist, and stylistically spanning various Avant-Garde sub-genres between Improvised Music, via Free Jazz to contemporary Classical Music, rubbing shoulders with Progressive Jazz and Art Pop. Most of the body of this work is performed by the choir, which often sounds like an instrument rather than a choir, resembling choral works of 20th Century Classical composers like Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist, György LigetiFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist to mention just the most audacious ones. When accompanied by the saxophone quartets, one supporting the music harmoniously and the other spicing the proceeding with intensive improvisations, the music offers several climaxes, which mark the transitions between the consecutive sections of the entire composition. It is not surprising to see Julie Tippetts taking a major part in this project, like she did in so many of his endeavors over the years. Her vocal performances are the focal point of this music and her improvised soloing should remind everybody of her incredible abilities from the first moment she arrived on the music scene as a Pop star and throughout her transformation as a highly idiosyncratic Avant-Gardist. The presence of Dunmall and Biscoe, two of the British Jazz most significant veteran saxophonists, adds additional quality to the rich tapestry of sounds and aural stimuli. Overall this album is an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle, which Tippett managed to create during his lifetime, and perhaps even one of the most inspired of his works. As usual Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist and his DiscusFind albums on this label label manage to bring an essential piece of the British Culture back to life, saving it from the imprisonment in the darkness of the BBC vaults (God bless them for recording the music), with a lot of help from Julie. This album is an absolutely essential piece of music in any serious music collection!

Updated: 13/11/2020Posted: 13/11/2020

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