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The subject of jazz pianists came up in another post and I am interested to know what other members think of the efforts originating with pianist Jacques Loussier such as:
I can't comment much on Loussier himself not having been familiar with him before you brought him up, but the efforts to "modernize," or improvise over, works of the past (as well as those of the present) didn't originate with Jacques Loussier. I remember reading once about a journalist who gave a concert Liszt once gave a rave review, mentioning in one part how he (Liszt) embellished - on-the-spot - a piece of Handel's with the "most beautiful harmonies". A good short summary of the great composers' experiences with improvisation can be read here: http://ericbarnhill.wordpress.com/facts-about-improvisation/
Loussier usually seems tasteful and intelligent enough to me not to be outright offensive. As jazz, it's a little too unadventurous to get me very interested, though.
I'm not sure how to explain why, but jazzing up classical music always seems to have a kitschy aura about it. Sometimes that bothers me; other times, not so much.
In principle, I don't have a problem with jazzers jazzing up classical tunes - after all, few jazzers come up with decent original tunes of their own .
But if you're going to jazz a classical tune up, do it whole-heartedly, like Leszek Mozdzer did with Chopin, and (in parts) Uri Caine with Bach and Mahler. Loussier's often saccharine treatment is just ladling extra sugary syrup on something that cannot withstand such treatment - his Air on a G string is especially nauseating....
I'm not sure how to explain why, but jazzing up classical music always seems to have a kitschy aura about it. Sometimes that bothers me; other times, not so much.
I think it can work very well in Bach, if it's done right. The arrangements by the Swingle Singers are among my favorite listening. Jazzers have been doing that since the 1930s I believe.
But for other composers, and especially Chopin, I don't think it works well at all.
You either like it, or you don't. If anything, braiding two genres together can get young or new listeners to become interested in listening to either genre extensively. I will agree that it works well with some compositions and not others.
I credit The Modern Jazz Quartet's "Blues on Bach" with sparking my interest in Bach, along with "Switched on Bach" (performed on a Moog Synthesizer). Give a listen. It may surprise you. I still listen to both.
I tend to like jazz versions of things if done well. I have several Loussier and Bolling albums that I like, and I've played some Bolling as well. Art Tatum's Dvorak is also amazing:
On the flip side, I'm also a big fan of the classified Beatles albums by John Bayless.
And the rock/electronica versions of Mussorgsky and Holst by Emerson Lake and Palmer.
And Wendy Carlos and Don Dorsey's electronic treatments of Bach.
"If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him." (John Holt)
Yeah, I went through a big electronic phase in high school. Jean-Michel Jarre, The Art of Noise, Laurie Anderson, Kraftwerk, etc...
"If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him." (John Holt)
The subject of jazz pianists came up in another post and I am interested to know what other members think of the efforts originating with pianist Jacques Loussier such as:
I like all of these and no longer have a problem with the mixture of classical music with the jazz idiom. Isn't this what is now known as 'classical crossover'?
As jazz, it's a little too unadventurous to get me very interested, though.
Exactly! And my problem with a lot of jazz generally. It seems so unadventurous these days!
The best jazzified piece I ever heard was a version of Chopin's op.25/4 etude. It started normal, and kept launching into super-fast stride piano. If you think how that etude goes, you can almost imagine it.
Yeah, Vangelis' music became quite popular after Chariots of Fire was released. I still have my original Opera Sauvage CD I bought in the early 80's.
"If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him." (John Holt)
The best jazzified piece I ever heard was a version of Chopin's op.25/4 etude. It started normal, and kept launching into super-fast stride piano. If you think how that etude goes, you can almost imagine it.
The best jazzified piece I ever heard was a version of Chopin's op.25/4 etude. It started normal, and kept launching into super-fast stride piano. If you think how that etude goes, you can almost imagine it.
-J
This?
Yes!!!! I LOVE this. Thanks so much for finding it!
My favorite is Bill Evans' take on Valse by J.S. Bach. His jazz trio actually adds something to the music that wasn't there before - a rare feat indeed:
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