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  | BOB GLUCK / ANDREW STERMAN ~ TROPELETS
ICTUS 173 (Barcode: 748252698520) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014
This is an album by the duo comprising of American pianist / electronic music performer / composer Bob GluckFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Andrew StermanFind albums by this artist. Gluck, a former Rabbi, revisits on this album traditional Jewish Biblical chants, which he arranged for the duo, using also some vocal parts by guest participants. The album presents twelve pieces, based on the laments of Profit Jeremiah, which are dedicated to the memory of Gluck´s father.
As expected, the music is somber and deeply reflective, but the duo treats the traditional elements with respect and originality. The Jewish mysticism and intrinsic melancholy are all there but for listeners not familiar with the background of this music, it makes perfect sense by itself, which is a remarkable achievement. Obviously not an easy listening material, this music requires concentration and patience, but is eventually as rewarding as it is challenging.
This music should be viewed in perspective of the so called "New Jewish Music", which is enjoying an astounding Renaissance in Europe and especially in Poland, which after all was the homeland of the Ashkenazi Jewish Culture for the thousand years before the Holocaust. With several Jewish Culture festivals (Krakow, Warsaw and many smaller towns in Poland) Jewish music, in an incredible diversity, from Medieval chants, via the Klezmer tradition and up to Avant-Garde Contemporary Music and Jazz is alive and kicking almost like never before. As the Artistic Director of the Warsaw Singer Jazz Festival, I am exposed to this miraculous phenomenon in its full glory. Of course there are manifestations of the New Jewish Music also in the US, as this album shows.
People interested in the Jewish tradition and Avant-Garde Jazz should be able to enjoy this music to the fullest extent, but even without the Jewish background, this is fascinating music, which adventurous listeners should like very much. Definitely worth being discovered!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 16/05/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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