Shostakovich: The Jazz Album Review

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Shostakovich: The Jazz Album ReviewIf Shostakovich had decided to write in the Russian folk idiom, this CD would probably be the best glimpse into that genre.
Intending to raise the level of Soviet jazz, we now have two jazz suites scored for orchestra, but featuring instruments used in a way we don't normally hear in Shostakovich. Using xylophone, twangy guitar, accordion, harmonica, and saxophones, we are treated to various "dance forms" such as waltzes, polkas, foxtrots, and marches. Shostakovich goes from the militant, to the humorous, to the sensual, each with an engaging and "catchy" Russian melody and unusual orchestration. He also orchestrates the famous "Tea for Two" into a short fantasia, which is rather whimsical.
The 1st piano concerto is a kind of odd fit on this CD in my opinion. More in the vein of what we are used to hearing from mainstream Shostakovich, he is rather melodic and often quotes from other works. The bare bones orchestration of piano, trumpet, and strings gives this work a very transparent feel. The first movement has an ominous opening theme. The slow second movement is very exciting in its own right with its sense of drama, rarely dwelling in lugubriousness, carrying the sense of dread from the first movement. The third movement is a sort of recitative to the last movement. The last movement has an unusual string mode mixture, the piano goes into a dance feel and the trumpet has some fanfare licks. Both piano and trumpet work together very well as separate soloists in this movement. He ends in a fury with piano and string poundings, the piano has some raucous quotes, and the trumpet ends with fanfares.
Overall, the performances are stellar. The jazz suites have natural Russian flair, the slow with great sumptuousness, the fast never taking itself too seriously and never careening out of control. The piano concerto doesn't fit the program in my opinion, but a very fine performance indeed. This CD is a must for any collection and an easy introduction to the lighter side of Shostakovich.Shostakovich: The Jazz Album Overview

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Romantic Adagios Review

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Romantic Adagios ReviewI was stunned to see only two and a half stars for romantic adagios. I don't know how much you get to know by listening to only one "song" out of so many in this collection, but in my opinion this CD collection deserves a lot of credit. I had heard of Samuel Barber's Adagio for strings many times before and I was impressed but this was the first time that I was completely mesmerized. I highly recommend to any Barber fans to listen to this interpretation by David Zinman which is incredible. There seems to be so much passion and emotion! Also others such as Adagio of Spartacus and Clarinet Concerto just make the collection even better.Romantic Adagios Overview

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Bedroom Adagios Review

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Bedroom Adagios ReviewI have heard many, many classical "mood" collections, and this is one of the best, with many surprise selections.
It is consistently restful and calming.
I recommend it highly.Bedroom Adagios Overview

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Jens Lindemann: Rising Sun Review

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Jens Lindemann: Rising Sun ReviewThis disc is somewhat in the vein of Philip Smith's CD titled
My Song of Songs. Smith's disc is predominantly arrangements
of Christian hymns and songs, while Lindemann's is secular
except for two tracks. Both are recorded with excellent
Salvation Army brass bands.
Lindemann's sound, range, technical facility and breadth of
musical expression are phenomenal. Trumpet players will be
astonished at the level of control he has over his tone.
Lindemann excels at selling each piece, whether it be a
light piece or a substantial work such as Allen Vizzutti's
new composition. Musical maturity is evident here. He is
stylistically right-on.
Lindemann has a very strong high range and uses it
frequently -- perhaps a bit too frequently, but if I had
the ability to generate excitement like that, I might do
the same. It remains in good taste. Lindemann conveys a
lot of joy in this recording. The use of fluegelhorn and
piccolo trumpet add a variety of colors to his sound and
keep the disc interesting.
A special note must be made of the gorgeous piccolo trumpet
playing in the Vizzutti piece. It is an effortless, full,
and fluid sound. This piece alone is worth the price of the
disc.
The instrumentation of this project -- trumpet with brass
band -- will limit the appeal of the recording for many. This
is unfortunate, for the playing is on an extremely high level
throughout and the music making transcends the instruments
themselves.
Very highly recommended.Jens Lindemann: Rising Sun OverviewTrumpeter Jens Lindemann has enlisted the talents of The Canadian Staff Band's 30-piece ensemble for Rising Sun. Lindemann's musicality and virtuosity coupled with the warmth and skill of the Staff Band clearly demonstrates the brilliance of this collaboration. The music offers an eclectic mix of standard repertoire and original compositions, some of Lindemann's finest work to date. This musical journey takes the listener from Japanese flavoured harmonies found on the title track, to fiery temperaments peppered throughout Slavische Fantasie, and goes on to soothe with the familiar sounds of classic Gershwin delivered in a unique Lindemann style.

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