Nouvelle Cuisine Big Band (Conductor: Christoph Cech) – soloists: Michael Mantler (trumpet), Harry
Sokal (tenor saxophone).
radio.string.quartet.vienna: Bernie
Mallinger (violin), Igmar Jenner (violin), Cynthia Liao (viola), Asja Valcic
(cello) + Bjarne Roupé (guitar), Wolfgang Puschnig (alto
saxophone), David Helbock (piano)
(Review by Hugh C.)
In the process of digitising his catalogue, Mantler
reacquainted himself with early scores, eventually envisioning fresh
performances of not only this vintage material, but also including new versions
of material from that period never previously recorded.
In The
Jazz Composer's Orchestra Update Mantler
has re-imagined his 1960s music for the 21st century, with the amplified
radio.string.quartet.vienna added to the instrumentation along with the
prominent electric guitar of Bjarne Roupé. They and the Nouvelle Cuisine Big Band
were recorded live at Vienna 's
Porgy and Bess club in 2013.
The CD comes in at just under 55 minutes and comprises ten
tracks, all composed by Mantler: Updates One, Eight, Nine, Eleven, Five, Six,
Ten and Twelve – parts 1, 2 and 3.
I am not familiar with any of the original album and so
come to this with fresh ears. You will have to be a lover of free improvisation
to like this CD. I will nail my colours firmly to the mast – I am not! The
sleeve notes contain an in depth interview with Michael Mantler. In response to
the question: “Has the ratio of composition to improvisation changed from the
original album to the new one” he replies: “Very much so. Even though the
original idea was, even then, to control and somewhat limit what were, in my
opinion, the excesses of free improvisation...” well I think we can agree
there! His aim, in the new realisation was to “create a continuity that melds
improvisation and composition into one homogeneous work”.
I think he has achieved this aim. There are periods of
(composed) breathtaking beauty for both small ensemble and big band,
interspersed with raucous cacophony. The CD probably needs to be listened to as
a whole, end to end, rather than selectively. The track breaks are hardly noticeable
if one is not watching the CD player display.
Overall then, I think this release will fill a niche and
will probably appeal to those with an interest in Mantler's previous work
(including the 1968 original). The jazz enthusiast with a liking for the big
band sound, but with a more experimental twist, is also likely to be rewarded.
The Jazz Composer's Orchestra Update is
available on the ECM Label
Catalogue Number 379 0789.
Hugh C.
No comments :
Post a Comment