IIRO RANTALA / THE DEUTSCHE KAMMERPHILHARMONIE BREMEN - Playing Gershwin
ACT Records 9893-2
Iiro Rantala (pno) The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Jonathan Bloxham (cond'), Anttanen Tikkanen (solo vln, concert master)
The mission statement of ACT Records has for a long time been, "In The Spirit Of Jazz", and this is something that is important for the listener to keep clearly in mind when experiencing this recording for the first time. In itself it is a magnificent piece of work by one of the leading contemporary jazz pianists in Europe, alongside a phenomenal orchestra and a virtuoso classical violinist. But also, it has to be said that there is very little jazz involved, even by the standards of today's very broad church. The first thirty four minutes of the album contain two of the most glorious and lauded works of twentieth century music by George Gershwin. Firstly we hear the 1924 piece Rhapsody In Blue, and rhapsodic it certainly is with the broad sweep of the orchestra under-pinning the piano interjections and violin, following of course the obligatory clarinet intro'. Then Porgy And Bess, one of the great masterpieces of melody plus raw emotion which to all intents and purposes has almost been taken over by the jazz community itself. You only have to listen to Miles and Gil or Ella and Louis to realise this. Iiro Rantala himself is no newcomer in fusing other works in a similar setting having already taken on the works of Mozart. Bernstein and John Lennon in this way.
After the initial forays into the two iconic works at the beginning of the disc, the remaining half hour or so is taken up by five of the pianist's original pieces, again alongside the orchestra and violinist with arrangements mostly by the German trumpet player, composer and arranger Oliver Groenewald. Most of these have previously been released on other Iiro Rantala albums under different musical formats and here they are brought to life with the benefit of the full chamber ensemble. What Comes Up, Must Come Down has a very strong melodic theme, like most of these shorter pieces and highlights the pianist in an almost Tatum like mood with intricate high tempo runs over the orchestral accompaniment. A Concert Tango is very much that, with intriguing variations, as opposed to improvisations along the way. Although influenced by Bach in his early days the Finnish pianist has always been drawn towards the works of Mozart with this being very well demonstrated in the contemplative and exquisite composition Anyone With A Heart which is very much a highlight of the recording. The broad and expansive orchestral themes of Hard Score precede the closing nine minute Freedom an elegant, light flavoured and calming sea of tranquility for all. Not withstanding the absence of jazz per-say, mentioned above, this is a recording of shear beauty from start to finish and should prove an excellent addition to almost anyone's musical collection.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
ACT Records 9893-2
Iiro Rantala (pno) The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Jonathan Bloxham (cond'), Anttanen Tikkanen (solo vln, concert master)
The mission statement of ACT Records has for a long time been, "In The Spirit Of Jazz", and this is something that is important for the listener to keep clearly in mind when experiencing this recording for the first time. In itself it is a magnificent piece of work by one of the leading contemporary jazz pianists in Europe, alongside a phenomenal orchestra and a virtuoso classical violinist. But also, it has to be said that there is very little jazz involved, even by the standards of today's very broad church. The first thirty four minutes of the album contain two of the most glorious and lauded works of twentieth century music by George Gershwin. Firstly we hear the 1924 piece Rhapsody In Blue, and rhapsodic it certainly is with the broad sweep of the orchestra under-pinning the piano interjections and violin, following of course the obligatory clarinet intro'. Then Porgy And Bess, one of the great masterpieces of melody plus raw emotion which to all intents and purposes has almost been taken over by the jazz community itself. You only have to listen to Miles and Gil or Ella and Louis to realise this. Iiro Rantala himself is no newcomer in fusing other works in a similar setting having already taken on the works of Mozart. Bernstein and John Lennon in this way.
After the initial forays into the two iconic works at the beginning of the disc, the remaining half hour or so is taken up by five of the pianist's original pieces, again alongside the orchestra and violinist with arrangements mostly by the German trumpet player, composer and arranger Oliver Groenewald. Most of these have previously been released on other Iiro Rantala albums under different musical formats and here they are brought to life with the benefit of the full chamber ensemble. What Comes Up, Must Come Down has a very strong melodic theme, like most of these shorter pieces and highlights the pianist in an almost Tatum like mood with intricate high tempo runs over the orchestral accompaniment. A Concert Tango is very much that, with intriguing variations, as opposed to improvisations along the way. Although influenced by Bach in his early days the Finnish pianist has always been drawn towards the works of Mozart with this being very well demonstrated in the contemplative and exquisite composition Anyone With A Heart which is very much a highlight of the recording. The broad and expansive orchestral themes of Hard Score precede the closing nine minute Freedom an elegant, light flavoured and calming sea of tranquility for all. Not withstanding the absence of jazz per-say, mentioned above, this is a recording of shear beauty from start to finish and should prove an excellent addition to almost anyone's musical collection.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
