Record Reviews
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  | JOHANNA BORCHERT ~ ORCHESTRE IDEAL
WHYPLAYJAZZ 008 (Barcode: 4050486078013) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012
This is the debut solo album by German pianist / composer Johanna BorchertFind albums by this artist, which comprises of thirteen relatively short solo piano pieces, nine of which are freely improvised and four are improvisations based on her compositions.
Although mostly spontaneously improvised this music has very little if anything to do with Improvised Music as in the Avant-Garde Jazz idiom and is deeply rooted in contemporary Classical music, mainly in the vicinity of the French modernists like Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist, Eric SatieFind albums by this artist, Oliver MessiaenFind albums by this artist and others. Some of these pieces are minimalist, others more developed, but the overall atmosphere is predominantly characterized by the sonorities typical of these composers and their particular approach to music.
The music is mostly very delicate and introvert, which makes it quite difficult for most of the listeners, who have little experience with such demanding and ambitious ventures. Therefore this music might work well when played live but listening to it at home might prove to be over the top for most people.
Of course one must support artists willing to take risks and statements like this one are always a sign of the intellect overcoming the musical futility that overwhelmingly surrounds us. Sadly I´m probably one of very few people who really like this music, as it unfortunately falls in between; the Jazz oriented people will find it to romantic and the Classical buffs to bold.
So ye brave-hearted embrace this little gem wholeheartedly and others, please investigate other recordings by Borchert, which are surely of the same quality but probably slightly more accessible.
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | RICHARD GALLIANO ~ AROUND GERSHWIN
PENTATONE 8717306262293 (Barcode: 8717306262293) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2023 - 2024 Released: 2024
This is a solo album by French Jazz accordion / bandoneon virtuoso Richard GallianoFind albums by this artist, which as the title indicates, is dedicated to the music of George GershwinFind albums by this artist, but also other early 20th Century composers, like Sergei RachmaninoffFind albums by this artist, Eric SatieFind albums by this artist, Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist, Maurice RavelFind albums by this artist and Gabriel FaureFind albums by this artist, all adapted for accordion by Galliano, and also including a couple of pieces composed by himself. The album presents fourteen tracks and offers a splendid sound quality.
I have been following the career of Galliano since as long as I can remember (he is almost exactly one year older than me) and he was always one of my favorite Jazz musicians, long before he achieved the international fame and recognition. His incredible sensitivity and power of expression are almost unparalleled, and his openness to other musical cultures and genres makes him a true total Artist. His accumulated contribution to European Jazz is simply colossal.
This is not the first album which finds Galliano interpreting Classical music, and his earlier albums with music by Johann Sebastian BachFind albums by this artist, Antonio VivaldiFind albums by this artist or Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist are all warmly recommended, but this album is closest to my heart, for several reasons. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is my all-time favorite piece of music (as irresponsible as that kind of statement might sound), and Galliano’s interpretation of it is simply Godly. I have heard hundreds of recordings of RIB, but this is definitely one of the most profoundly moving ones, especially in view of the completely new environment and the ability to overcome the devilishly difficult score and underlying changes of mood / melody / tempo, etc., which Galliano conquers with his usual wit, intelligence and charm.
But perhaps more important is the statement, subtly hidden behind the vail, which places Gershwin with his “serious” Classical Music contemporaries, recognizing his position as a no less “serious” composer, which is more often than not denied from Gershwin, mostly recognized for his work as a songwriter, with his Classical compositions often ignored and neglected, and which deserves to be put straight.
Overall, this is a marvelous album, full of delightful music, brilliantly performed and cleverly put together, which puts a new light on the sublime music composed by Gershwin, and offers an hour of tete-a-tete between the listener and one of the greatest musicians out there. Another great production by the PentatoneFind albums on this label label and of course, this is something way beyond recommendation…
| | Updated: 04/10/2024Posted: 02/10/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | KRZYSZTOF HERDZIN ~ COMPOSER`S CONCERT LIVE
DUX 0970 (Barcode: 5902547009704) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
Polish pianist / composer / arranger / conductor Krzysztof HerdzinFind albums by this artist, who is in his early forties at the time these words are being written, managed to create an entire universe of music in the relatively short span of his life so far; a universe so diverse and overwhelmingly rich in forms, idioms and palette that one begins to wonder if the Artist will ever reach his limits and become finally content and contained.
Herdzin has been tightrope walking for some time now between Jazz and Classical Music, obviously deeply involved in both genres. Sometimes his works try to amalgamate the genres, creating a Jazz-Classical Fusion, but he also composes "strictly" Classical Music, which is presented on this live recording. Here Herdzin conducts the Polish Radio Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which performs seven of his compositions. Five of these compositions are orchestral works, with two involving only strings and the other three the entire orchestra, another one involves an improvising saxophonist – in this case the brilliant Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist – and the last one is a piano concertino in three parts, on which the composer also plays the piano.
Contrary to what one might expect, Herdzin as a Classical Music composer does not follow the Polish "modernist school", which includes such distinguished composers as Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist, Witold LutoslawskiFind albums by this artist, Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist and Wojciech KilarFind albums by this artist, to mention just the most renowned names. His inspiration is obviously much closer to the French modernists / impressionists like Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist and Maurice RavelFind albums by this artist and the more Avant-Garde "Les Six" group, but of course many other distinguished composers he admires. His works are always full of romanticism and lyricism and are beautifully melodic, which makes them sound "easy" / "pleasant", even if they are in fact quite complex in their structure, harmony and form.
The music presented here follows Herdzin´s tendency for creating melodic, romantic and mostly joyful music, which can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of listeners, which can encompass his Jazz listeners as easily as fans of Classical Music. His Jazz persona is evident in the piece involving the saxophone improvisation, which is stunningly performed and definitely is one of the album´s highlights. The piano concertino also includes quite a few Jazzy hints and undercurrents. Herdzin does not present any groundbreaking discoveries herein, but his music is a very solid statement and pays tribute to his many talents.
Overall this is a lovely and aesthetically pleasing piece of music, excellently performed and very well recorded, as much as being a great listening experience. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLIN TOWNS ~ ANOTHER THINK COMING
PROVOCATEUR 1028 (Barcode: 5038491102823) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001
British pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Colin TownsFind albums by this artist and his Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist ensemble are one of the best examples of modern Jazz, which is still groundbreaking and innovative. Towns’ composition and arrangements are always not only skillful and sophisticated, but also completely innovative and even surprising (take it form an old skeptic who has heard it all before). Using the big band in ways previously unexplored is a rare talent indeed and deserves both respect and admiration. This album presents a series of Towns’ original instrumental compositions and two arrangements, one of a classical piece by Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist and the other a John LennonFind albums by this artist / Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist tune. Partly commissioned by the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist, with which Towns cooperates on a regular basis, here they are performed by his own band. Varying in style from early New Orleans Jazz, via Psychedelic and up to contemporary World-Jazz Fusion, the album presents an invigorating vista of modern Jazz at its best, full of great melodic content, imagination, daring and masterly performed Art. The players, including legendary veterans such as Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Peter KingFind albums by this artist (saxophone) and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist (trumpet), playing along young British Jazz lions, do everything expected of them and beyond, delivering perfectly coherent and beautifully executed music, which fills the listener’s heart and soul with instant gratification. The enhanced CD also includes a short film with music composed by Towns and performed by the band. Any big band and modern Jazz fan should definitely check out this superb album, and frankly anything else Towns delivers, as talent of his caliber is rare and deserves all the attention it can achieve. Grab it!
| | | CD 1 Digipak HDCD Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANK ZAPPA ~ WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH
ZAPPA 3843 (Barcode: 824302384329) ~ USA ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2012
This is a reissue / remaster of the 10th album by iconic American guitarist / composer / bandleader / visionary Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, released originally in 1970. The music was recorded at various live and studio locations between 1967 and 1969. The album presents eleven tracks, all (except one) composed by Zappa.
The lineup, in addition to Zappa on guitar and vocals, includes members of the expanded version of Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, which includes a brass section: pianist Don PrestonFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy EstradaFind albums by this artist, drummer Jimmy Carl BlackFind albums by this artist, multi-instrumentalist Ian UnderwoodFind albums by this artist, woodwind players Bunk GardnerFind albums by this artist and Jim SherwoodFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Buzz GardnerFind albums by this artist, violinist Don Sugarcane HarrisFind albums by this artist and several others.
The music is mostly instrumental and includes many references to Avant-Garde Jazz (Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist) and Classical Music (Claude DebussyFind albums by this artist, Charles IvesFind albums by this artist and Luciano BerioFind albums by this artist) and features Jazzy improvisations similar to Free Jazz, and has a Jazz-Rock Fusion ambience, which was already very prominent on the earlier albums “Hot RatsFind albums with this title” and “Burnt Weeny SandwichFind albums with this title”. Only one track is Zappa’s arrangements of a Pop song, full of his usual zany humor.
Overall, although this music is now over fifty years old, it sounds as fresh as it did when first heard and lost absolutely nothing of its power and everlasting beauty. This album remains an absolute Classic in every respect, which stands proudly as an icon of superb music, which still shines brighter than almost anything else recorded since.
Side Note
Frank Zappa created a vast recorded legacy during his lifetime, which is continuously being expanded using music recorded and stored in his extensive vault. The albums officially released and approved by Zappa are numbered sequentially in the "Official Release" series, from #001 to the last release so far #126. The albums between #001 to #062 were released during Zappa's lifetime and all the others were released posthumously. There are countless unofficial / bootleg releases on the market as well.
Zappa's catalogue was remastered for CD release twice: in 1995 for the RykodiscFind albums on this label releases and again in 2012 for the ZappaFind albums on this label Records / UniversalFind albums on this label releases. The Zappa / Universal program includes 60 releases, which cover the entire catalog released during his lifetime (62 releases, except #013 "200 Motels" and the three Box Sets #043, #046 and #049 called "The Old Masters vol.I / II / III"), and 6 posthumous releases (#064, #065, #067, #068, #093 and #094), which were also included.
| | Updated: 22/09/2022Posted: 04/02/2022 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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