Classical Music

European jazz at it's best, recorded at the legendary Jazzhus Montmartre to celebrate Jesper Lundgaard's 60th birthday!

I could, if I wanted to, but I don't... This was the alleged response of Anton Bruckner to singer Rosa Papiers question, why he wouldn't compose songs like Johannes Brahms did. Eight songs by Anton Bruckner are academically proven, which - with one exception - were composed during his time and life in St. Florian and Linz. With his latest recording, the distinguished Austrian Bass Robert Holzer devotes himself, along with Thomas Kerbl, piano and conducting, the choir Chorvereinigung Bruckner and the chamber orchestra of the Anton Bruckner private conservatory Linz, to the unjustly neglected songs and the Magnificat by Bruckner. A sensation came about in the year 2015 with the discovery of the song Der Mondabend, with it's world premiere recording being released on this album.

This album follows many successful operetta albums released by CPO. This newest addition is Die ungarische Hochzeit by Nico Dostal, a work premiered in Stuttgart in 1939 but rarely performed today. Nico Dostal was very successful both as an operetta composer and a film composer. Alongside this release, Cilvia is regarded as his best operetta music.

Always curious and always looking for new challenges, Alex Riel has been an important innovator of modern drumming in Europe. He was among the very first to record a “free” solo on his debut album in 1965 and he was a founding member of the beat-group Savage Rose, while also playing with Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon and being a member of Monica Zetterlund’s quartet. From the last 20 years we know him for his work with Enrico Pieranunzi, Kenny Werner, Mads Vinding and many others. On “Our Songs”, Alex Riel brings together two musical “playmates”: The legendary bassist Bo Stief, who like Riel, belongs to the generation of Danish musicians who started their professional careers at Montmartre in the 60s, and Carsten Dahl, one of Europe’s most innovative piano players. The trio plays in balance with themselves and each other, and simply lets the music flow unhindered. So where, then, does the music flow? Basically, this is classic piano-trio jazz, and while Carsten Dahl is “in charge”, he never overshadows the trio’s creative affinity. Quite appropriately, the mood is established with, “My Song” a classic Keith Jarrett number. In many ways Riel’s playing is discreet, often poetic, so it’s fitting that Dahl has dedicated his composition for the album, “The Poet” to Alex. We are also treated to a couple of melancholic Swedish folk songs reminiscent of legendary pianist Jan Johansson, plus the trio’s own folklore-inspired “Høstdansen” (“Harvest Dance”). Along the way there are also four freshly interpreted American jazz standards, including John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” as a lyrical ballad - in direct contrast to the high-powered original version. The personal and musical friendship of the three musicians is obvious. It's playful, creative and beautiful when Alex Riel, Bo Stief and Carsten Dahl play their songs.

June 15, 1976 Long tall Dexter plunges into a blowing spree in this unusual piano-less trio format. “...It contains some of his freest solos, notably On Green Dolphin Street...” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz) C. Andrew Hovan the author of the new liner notes for the album writes: “Lullaby for a Monster”, recorded just before his triumphant homecoming, stands as a powerful reminder of an era when jazz giants roamed in abundance. A favorite among musicians, this album deserves wider recognition within Gordon’s impressive discography.” “...intense and vibrant music throughout...” (DIAPASON, France) “.... in this stripped down setting Dexter Gordon is truly on fire ...” (Soulpope – The Jazz Beat) 180g Audiophile Vinyl