When this recording came out as LP on the market in 1979 after Baker’s lengthy pause from the scene, Jazz Time’s reviewer started his article by saying “Whoof! The killer is back....” And indeed this cool killer was back on the scene to stay, though for a while until his tragic death in Holland, and made a number of wonderful recordings for SteepleChase.
The first of the four releases with the same “drumless” group is a studio recording (three others are live from Montmartre) and “this subtle woodhued record shows that Baker at his best can still knock you dead...” (Jazz Time). 180g Audiophile Vinyl
American trumpeter Red Rodney (1927-1994) came into the spotlight with his legendary firecracker pace and pitch late 40s and was hired by Charlie Parker to replace Miles Davis in his quintet (1949-1951). In spite of his turbulent life during the 60s and 70s Rodney made a comeback to the world scene in the 80s.
For the interesting details, do read Chris Sheridan’s liner notes included in this release.
This 1988 studio recording took place in Copenhagen, Denmark where he lived a couple of years.
“...this excellent and restrained session will bring more accolades to this little giant of jazz, Red Rodney.” (Jazznews)
“Here is one of the most listenable Red Rodney records to come along in years .... It is Rodney’s superbly lyrical work that makes this an essential record.” (Jazz Journal)
This is the second release from the night at Montmartre Jazzhus (earlier release is “Daybreak” SCCD 31142) by the best Chet Baker Trio of this period.
“...he sounds masterful, and is ably accompanied by Raney’s soft-bop guitar and NHØP’s towering bass...” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz - new edition)
“...an intriguing recording, because it catches one of the idiom’s most important trumpeters, not merely at the height of his mature powers, but at an interesting point of transition between two of the very best editions of his small bands...” (Chris Sheridan)
“.....The heavily blues based styles of Mance and Wright complemented the soulful side of Gillespie who was without question at the peak of his powers at this time....As with all of Nils Winther’s work, the sound is beautifully balanced, and the digital transfers are excellent.” (Cadence)
The success of the earlier release by this trio (SCCD 31122 “The Touch Of Your Lips”) brought the group together again this time for “live” recording at club Montmartre packed with Baker fans.
Radio Free Jazz wrote, “ His present playing is extraordinary, the best of his career, and he has never found a more empathetic context than this trio with guitarist Raney and bassist Pedersen... The interplay among these three superb musicians yields a quality of collective improvisation comparable to that of Bill Evans’ greatest trio....”
Hugely prolific as well as widely acclaimed, Kalevi Aho has composed 30 concertos to date. Many of them are available in recordings from BIS, and the present release features two works from the past decade. The Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra was commissioned for Jörgen van Rijen, who also performs it here. The concerto is actually Aho’s second concertante piece for the trombone – his Symphony No. 9 (1994) included a substantial and very virtuosic solo part for the instrument. In that work, and even more so in the concerto, the composer’s aim has been to extend the expressive and virtuosic possibilities of the trombone. Composed around the same time, the Trumpet Concerto is scored for the wind section of a medium-sized symphony orchestra, plus two saxophones, baritone horn and percussion. It was given its premiere by the same musicians that perform it here, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins supporting its principal trumpet Alain De Rudder in what is often a surprisingly jazzy work.
Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols, Vol. II is the follow-up to the #1 Billboard and Amazon charting The Wexford Carols (2014), hailed by The Irish Times as "The Wexford Carols as they have never been heard before." Produced by celebrated Grammy-winning producer Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne) and led by renowned Irish singer/arranger Caitriona O'Leary, this new recording offers an intimate, spiritual, and mystical journey through eleven rarely-heard carols from Ireland's cherished Christmas tradition. The album features a world-class ensemble, including Alison Balsom (trumpet), Stile Antico (choir), Seth Lakeman, Clara Sanabras, John Smith, Olov Johansson, Simone Collavechi, Deirdre O'Leary, Mel Mercier, John Hearne, and Ethan Johns himself. Drawing on 17th-18th century Wexford carol traditions and blending early music, folk, and classical styles, Strange Wonders illuminates familiar moments of the Christmas story alongside rarely sung carols to saints of the Twelve Days. This moving collection brings Ireland's greatest Christmas music to life for today's audiences in a timeless new way.
Penderecki: Concertos for Violin, Piano & Trumpet / Tworek, Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra
DUX
CD
$21.99May 05, 2017
Born in Debica on November 23, 1933, Krzysztof Penderecki studied composition with Artur Malawski and Stanislaw Wiechowicz at the State Higher School of Music in Krakow (1954-58). In 1959 three of his works won him the top prizes at the Young Composers’ Competition of the Polish Composers’ Union. A year later, he captured the attention of Western critics with Anaklasis, performed at the Donaueschingen Festival. Penderecki’s international position was consolidated in the 1960s thanks to such pieces as Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, the St. Luke Passion, and Dies irae. This release in the Polish Sinfonia luventus Orchestra's Penderecki series features his Concerto doppio per violin, viola, e orchestra (2012), his Concerto per pianoforte ed orchestra Resurrection (2001-2002 rev. 2007), and his Concertino per tromba e orchestra (2015).
This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.
"The oft-recorded Haydn Concerto is vividly recorded with the signal completely unclouded. This reveals Tarkövi’s peach-tender full fat tone. This is on best display in the Andante of the Haydn which paves the way for the lickety-split allegro. The charmingly decorous two-movement Leopold Mozart Concerto features harpsichord continuo. Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto - like the Hummel work - returns us to the conventional three movement template. Prague-based Neruda wrote 18 symphonies, 10 violin concertos, one bassoon concerto, 34 trio-sonatas and, among much else, this trumpet concerto. It is a fluent work with some very eloquent noble invention in the opening Allegro and many touching and original turns in the solo line in the final Vivace. Hummel opens with sturm und drang before making way for some witty light-on-the-feet material. It is good to be reminded that Hummel wrote such a sweetly inclined concerto. Tarkövi is always pleasingly ripe-toned though he is not always ideally attentive to staccato demands. On the other hand mechanical noise from the pistons is imperceptible except once during the trills at the end of the first movement of the Hummel. There is much to enjoy here among these four concertos written between 1762 and 1803.
It is typical of Tudor that their booklet which is in three languages is a joy to use. It affords plenty of information about the music and the sensible font design and size is kind to the eyes."
