Fred Hersch 、 The WDR Big Band - Begin Again - Import CD

Credits:

Fred Hersch 、 The WDR Big Band

Description:

One of the best pianists of our time, Fred Hirsch with WDR BB. Arranger/conductor is the brilliant Vince Mendoza. The 55-minute album features nine of Fred Hersch's compositions, which also showcase his extensive career, dramatically rendered with a delicate yet dynamic ensemble. Fred Hersch, who is now regarded as a "Living Legend" and one of the best pianists of our time beyond the category of jazz, performs with the WDR (Westdeutschen Rundfunks) Big Band! The WDR (BB) is one of Europe's leading big bands in terms of history and ability, and has many works featuring famous jazz players as soloists. The band has had many great arrangers, and this project features the brilliant arranger/conductor Vince Mendoza. Fred Hirsch himself said, "Vince trusted the music I wrote, so I knew he would respect the songs and add his own talent. I'm glad to see that become a reality." All nine songs are Fred Hirsch originals, arranged by Vince. This is truly a remarkable project of collaboration between contemporary talents. Opening with the title track "Begin Again," the first time it has been recorded, the album focuses on recent numbers, but also includes numbers like "Rain Waltz," which has been played for 30 years now, and the 2001 classic "SongWithout Words. Words", a 2001 masterpiece, and other selections that also show the longevity of Fred Hirsch's career. The style also varies.The aforementioned "SongWithout Words: Ballads" and the Schumann-inspired "Pastorale" are examples of Fred Hirsch at his best. There are of course numbers with supreme melodies such as "Fred Hirsch: Ballads," the Schumann-inspired "Pastorale," Latin melancholy and passion like "Havana," the film-like "Out Someplace (Blues For Matthew Shepard)," and the swingy and bluesy "Out Someplace" that pays homage to the jazz tradition. The swingy, bluesy "The Big Easy" pays homage to the jazz tradition. Vince has arranged these songs to fit the world of the piece, and he has also used the individual personalities of the band members to create solo pieces. The band members' individual personalities are also featured in the solos. The last song was the moving "The Orb (For Scott). This is a supreme ballad full of delicate tenderness dedicated to Fred's longtime partner, Scott Morgan. First released in the stage performance "My Coma Dreams," which combined music and readings, and later included in the opening of "Open Book," the song was inspired by his beloved partner's face, which appeared like a sphere (orb) when he awoke from a two-month coma in 2008. The song was inspired by the face of Hirsch's beloved partner, who appeared like a sphere (Orb) when he woke up from a two-month coma in 2008. This version features Fred Hirsch's solo piano, with Vince's wind ensemble adding full harmonies, and the album ends with a dramatic conclusion. 55 minutes of drama.This is a work that echoes the talents of the 21st century.

Tracklisting:

1.Begin Again
2.Song Without Words, No. 2: Ballad
3.Havana
4.Out Someplace (Blues For Matthew Shepard)
5.Pastorale
6.Rain Waltz
7.The Big Easy
8.Forward Motion
9.The Orb (For Scott)