Record Reviews

VIENNA ART ORCHESTRA ~ A NOTION IN PERPETUAL MOTION HATOLOGY 679 (Barcode: 752156067924) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 Released: 2010 The Austrian modern Big Band / ensemble Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist is probably the most ambitious gathering of European Jazz musicians ever attempted and one of the most (probably the most) successful effort of this kind. Led by composer / arranger / bandleader Mathias RüeggFind albums by this artist, who writes most of the music performed by the orchestra, is a Master of his craft and the amount of music done by him in the last three decades amounts to a gigantic body of work unparalleled by any other of his contemporaries. The orchestra members are all top Austrian Jazz players, as well as many guest musicians from other European countries. This live recording captures one of the most interesting periods of the band, which included the incredible vocals by Lauren NewtonFind albums by this artist, in addition to numerous superb musicians, such as saxophonists Harry SokalFind albums by this artist, Roman SchwallerFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Herbert JoosFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is absolutely breathtaking and brilliant from start to finish; every moment catches the listener completely unprepared and leaves him absolutely stunned when the album is over. This is an utmost case in point of the European way to do things, which places all American Big Bands miles in the rear. An absolute must to any serious Jazz listener and an everlasting example of musical ingenuity. Essential!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

VIENNA ART ORCHESTRA ~ ALL THAT STRAUSS TCB 20052 (Barcode: 725095200523) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 This is the first album recorded in the 21st Century! Recorded live on January 1st 2000 by the wonderful Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist under the leadership of Mathias RüeggFind albums by this artist, this album presents the music of the Strauss Family, spectacularly arranged for the Jazz environment by Rüegg and superbly executed by the orchestra, which of course was the best of its kind at the time. Among the orchestra members on this album were such great musicians like saxophonist Harry SokalFind albums by this artist or Russian French horn player Arkady ShilkloperFind albums by this artist A few guest musicians also participate, like French clarinetist Michel PortalFind albums by this artist and Austrian saxophonist Wolfgang PuschnigFind albums by this artist. The music of the Strauss Family epitomizes the Viennese Culture much more than the music of the "serious" Classical composers that lived in the city. The citizens of Vienna always preferred a good dance ball and the waltz was the favorite of the 19th Century dances, and rightly so. Rüegg treats the music by Strauss Family members with respect, but also with a typical tongue in cheek attitude, which turns this album into a true delight. But fun aside, the album presents many spectacular solos by the orchestra members and guests and the ensemble work of the orchestra is breathtaking. Vienna Art Orchestra was always a superb example of the differences between European Big Bands / Jazz Orchestras and their American counterparts and this album is just one of the chapters in such study. European Jazz does not get much more European than what can be heard here. Everything that European Jazz is made of is represented herein: the references to the Classical Music tradition, the sophistication and finesse, the intellectual aspect of Jazz, in short everything that makes it what it is. As such this is a must in any serous collection of European Orchestral Jazz. What a pity that Vienna Art Orchestra had to be dissolved by 2010 for financial reasons. Governments are wasting enormous sums of money on totally stupid and often damaging endeavors and the European Union or the Austrian Government could not afford to support one of Europe´s most important cultural symbols. Shame!

Updated: 13/08/2016Posted: 13/08/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

VIENNA ART ORCHESTRA ~ THE MINIMALISM OF ERIK SATIE HATOLOGY 671 (Barcode: 752156067122) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1983 - 1984 Released: 2010 The Austrian modern Big Band / ensemble Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist is probably the most ambitious gathering of European Jazz musicians ever attempted and one of the most (probably the most) successful effort of this kind. Led by the charismatic composer / arranger / bandleader Mathias RüeggFind albums by this artist, who is a Master of his craft and who writes most of the music performed by the ensemble, the Vienna Art Orchestra is a revelation. The scope of music created by the Vienna Art Orchestra in the last three decades amounts to a gigantic body of work unparalleled by any other of his contemporaries. The orchestra members are all top Austrian Jazz players, as well as many guest musicians from other European countries. This very special project finds the ensemble reworking a set of compositions by the brilliant French composer Erik SatieFind albums by this artist. Satie´s short (minimalist) compositions, as beautiful as they are, are expanded and rearranged by Rüegg and become magnificent, presenting a perfect amalgamation of Jazz and modern Classical Music. The band includes the incredible vocals by Lauren NewtonFind albums by this artist, in addition to numerous superb musicians, such as saxophonists Harry SokalFind albums by this artist, Roman SchwallerFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is absolutely breathtaking and brilliant from start to finish; every moment catches the listener completely unprepared and leaves him absolutely stunned when the album is over. This is an utmost case in point of the European way to do things, which places all American Big Bands miles in the rear. An absolute must to any serious Jazz listener and an everlasting example of musical ingenuity. Essential!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend