Record Reviews

CHICK COREA ~ SARDINIA CANDID 33112 (Barcode: 708857331123) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2018 Released: 2023 This is a live album by the great American Jazz pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, recorded with the Orchestra da Camera Della SardegnaFind albums by this artist, and released posthumously. The album presents seven tracks, two of which are spoken introductions, three are parts of the Piano Concerto No. 24 by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartFind albums by this artist and two are by George GershwinFind albums by this artist, one song (in a solo piano version) and the Godly “Rhapsody In Blue”. The album is appropriately subtitled as “A Night of Mozart & Gershwin”. Corea’s affinity and involvement with Classical Music is well documented on record and with his virtuosity and impeccable taste at helm, the results of his flirting with Classical Music were always extraordinary, as is, not surprisingly, this one. Captured about a couple of years before Corea’s untimely death, it shows him still in perfect form, which he managed to preserve to the very end. It seems to be his last live recording available on record so far. The music is a perfect example of the right balance between the source, i.e. the original scores of the music, and Corea’s interpretations of it, including his improvised parts. It all works absolutely coherently, in perfect harmony and obvious respect, which characterized Corea’s work in all areas throughout his career. Although described as “unconventional” by critics, personally I don’t see any lack of convention in this music, on the contrary, Corea’s improvisations are playful, intelligent and creative, but perfectly fitting the original compositions, which, if such thing was possible, most probably would have been approved by the original composers with a huge smile and a raised hat. “Rhapsody In Blue” (RIB) is probably the most influential piece of music in my life and I have listened to countless versions of it, both live and on record, in the seven decades since my existence on this speck of dirt we all share. My very early years were full of Classical Music, which I have spent conducting orchestras in front of our old, big radio in our living room. Gershwin’s RIB was a true shock, as it opened by ears to a new world, which at the time I didn’t even know exists, called Jazz. Although RIB is completely composed, every note of it, it is full of Jazz spirit, even if Gershwin himself didn’t really intend it to be so. The solo piano parts just beg to be expanded by improvisation, a concept I was not familiar with at the time, but sensed deeply, and comparing different versions of this Masterpiece became a sort of obsession for me. Imagine my surprise, when during a conversation with Chick Corea, who visited my home, we discovered a common enthusiasm about this piece of music (which Corea mentions in his introduction). Listening to this album vividly and fondly brings back that and other conversations I was lucky to have with the Maestro. It is therefore not surprising that the version of RIB on this album is my favorite moment. Corea’s touches on the keyboard herein are simply divine. What a pity you are gone my Friend. Overall, this is a brilliant example of what this kind of Jazz-Classical Fusion is all about: respect, intelligence, vison and above all honesty! For the many Corea’s followers, this is an absolute must, especially those less aware of his love affair with Classical Music. Somehow, quite surprisingly, this album was almost completely ignored upon its release, which is a true shame. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 02/01/2024Posted: 02/01/2024

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