Cecil Taylor Music

Cecil Taylor's "Alms/Tiergarten (Spree)" is one of the most marvelous examples of creative orchestra music that has ever been released. These 2 CDs document Taylor's performance in Germany on July 2, 1988 during the improvised music festival that featured Taylor. This orchestra concert is particularly fascinating, since legends such as Peter Brotzmann, Evan Parker, Han Bennink, and William Parker also are featured in the group. This meeting between the Americans and the Europeans is a triumph. The composite creativity that is represented on this recording is absolutely stellar. The music swirls, jags, and darts like the structure of a hurricane, and you, the listener, are placed at its calm center, with everything occurring around you. This is a very profound effort, filled with surprises and mysteries. Each CD (both of which last approximately an hour) consists of one long track: the first CD features "Involution/Evolution," while the second CD features "Weight-Breath-Sounding Trees." The music sounds like its titles; with this album Taylor invites you to experience the forces of nature in music. This album should not be rated by stars-it should be rated by earth, air, fire and water.

Cecil Taylor's "Alms/Tiergarten (Spree)" is one of the most marvelous examples of creative orchestra music that has ever been released. These 2 CDs document Taylor's performance in Germany on July 2, 1988 during the improvised music festival that featured Taylor. This orchestra concert is particularly fascinating, since legends such as Peter Brotzmann, Evan Parker, Han Bennink, and William Parker also are featured in the group. This meeting between the Americans and the Europeans is a triumph. The composite creativity that is represented on this recording is absolutely stellar. The music swirls, jags, and darts like the structure of a hurricane, and you, the listener, are placed at its calm center, with everything occurring around you. This is a very profound effort, filled with surprises and mysteries. Each CD (both of which last approximately an hour) consists of one long track: the first CD features "Involution/Evolution," while the second CD features "Weight-Breath-Sounding Trees." The music sounds like its titles; with this album Taylor invites you to experience the forces of nature in music. This album should not be rated by stars-it should be rated by earth, air, fire and water.

Cecil Taylor always claimed Duke Ellington as his #1 influence. On this record, I can hear the influence clearly. Taylor adds a whole palette of orchestral colors to his music, and it not only makes the structure of the compositions clearer, it keeps these pieces surprising and involving over hour-long performances. So this album isn't for you if you flat-out can't stand free/intense jazz. But if you're willing to listen with open ears (if you heard "Ascension" or "Tomorrow is the Question" without hating them!), you'll find a lot of beautiful music here.

The music on this CD is alive and it hits you. One of the best releases of recent times. I love it.

This is a very satisfying recording that you will enjoy listening to over and over. I first heard this recording reviewed on the Minn. Public Radio podcast "New Classical Tracks with Julie Amacher." I highly recommend her podcast as a great place to discover new recordings. The primary reason I purchased this audio cd was to hear the "Dixie" track. To my delight I found the other tracks just as unique and pleasing. This is a virtuosa performance and even though a number of the songs are American standards it is not "light" music. You will marvel at the interpretations. This has a definite place in your classical music library.

This recording is just plain fun! Rachel Barton Pine is one of my favorite young violinists, and this may be my favorite of her albums! Not only is the music exceptionally well chosen, Mrs. Pine's performances are top-notch across the board. As usual, her technique is wonderful. And the musicality of the performances leaves nothing to be desired. Just listen to the sweetness of her playing in Amy Beach's Romance! I can listen to this one track over and over and not become bored. Then contrast the fiery virtuosity Pine exhibits in Bellstedt's Caprice on Dixie. Just wonderful! Let's just say this disc is going to remain in my CD player for a long time! Highly, highly recommended.

It would take me forever to rave about this set, so I'll keep it short. Bach's complete orchestral works and concertos conducted by Sir Neville Marriner with an all star cast of soloists!
...And it's all in a slim box too! The best music is all here, this is basically all you need for a complete set in your collection...! WHAT A DEAL...THE DEFINITIVE BACH SET!
I wish I could add more stars!

There are a lot of very nice things to be said for this collection. As is usually the case with the ASMF, the performances are always pleasant, competent & crisp. Do they dazzle the listener? On occasion, I suppose so. The same can be said for Leppard and his crew.

From top to bottom, this is a very consistent set, but not one that takes my breath away. I suppose one could call it definitive, if for no other reason than that no one else has assembled a complete Bach collection that approaches the consistency of this one. I would be interested to see what the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, for example, might be able to unleash. A really good period instruments collection would easily displace this collection where my personal preferences are concerned, but such a collection does not exist.

All in all, there is much to recommend in this set. For a 9-CD set, this is relatively affordable, and you could do much worse in terms of quality of performance. For me, this will do just fine until a superior collection comes along.

Live from the Five Spot in the late 1950's. Much better recorded than Coltrane with Monk from the same club. Phil Woods alto sax, Frank Socolow tenor sax, Cecil Payne baritone sax and a rhythm section led by Duke Jordan. They stretch out on four Charlie Parker tunes for about 10 min. each. Socolow's tenor is a little light but like Zoot he swung like heck. Good Show.