Record Reviews

KEITH TIPPETT ~ LINÜCKEA FMR 070 (Barcode: 649849982346) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 It might sound strange at first to see the British pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, who is after all a representative of the Free Jazz and Improvised Music genres, in the context of contemporary Classical music. Nevertheless this project is exactly what this music is all about – a synergy of Improvised Music and contemporary Classical. In 1995 the Kreutzer String QuartetFind albums by this artist, one of the world’s most famous and revered classical ensembles, commissioned Tippett to write a piano quintet, to be performed by him with the quartet. Tippett stood up to the challenge admirably, composing a brilliant piece of contemporary music, which although mostly written, includes sections, which allow for spontaneous improvisation and collective free interplay between the performers. The piece was performed several times over the years and eventually recorded five years later, for all of us to enjoy for posterity. The music is truly stunning, combining hundreds of years of the European music tradition with modernism at its best. Although the music might sound strange at first both to Classical and Jazz listeners, the beauty and the emotional power of this extraordinary piece is able to transcend all barriers. Of course this is not intended for casual listening and requires both attentiveness and open mindedness, but the pleasure inspired on the listener is boundless. I wish as many people as possible would be exposed to this music, alas this treasure will be known quite a limited circle of “insiders”. I dare everybody to try this one.

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