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  | KLAUS KONIG ORCHESTRA ~ TIME FRAGMENTS
ENJA 8076 (Barcode: 063757807629) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994
This is the fifth album by German composer / conductor Klaus KonigFind albums by this artist, recorded with a twelve-piece Orchestra comprising of many top European and American Jazz musicians, including, among others British Jazz trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, French tuba player Michel GodardFind albums by this artist, American violinist Mark FeldmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark DresserFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerry HemingwayFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all composed by Konig, which are parts of a suite. This is the fourth installment of a five-suite cycle by Konig.
Wheeler took part also in a recording of the third album by Konig, entitled “At The End Of The UniverseFind albums with this title”. Since this is a large orchestral recording, Wheeler’s soloing is perhaps less prominent than on his small group recordings, but are especially important here, in view of Kenny’s love of large ensembles. Both albums seem to be available without much ado. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection.
The music is an absolutely fascinating European Orchestral Jazz, which offers some melodic themes but the performance is full of very open / Free Form improvisations, which altogether offers a challenging, but highly rewarding listening experience and a great example of the European approach to Big Band music, which is diametrically opposed to the American Tradition. Konig certainly manages to combine the basic elements of the Jazz tradition with contemporary / almost Avant-Garde facets of the genre and the result is simply astounding. His work as a composer is certainly highly unconventional and deserves to be followed, as his recording legacy certainly proves.
Overall, this is an excellent modern Big Band / Orchestral Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.
| | Updated: 27/05/2023Posted: 27/05/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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