At the Octoroon Balls: String Quartet No. 1

Edgar Meyer (Performer), Milan Turkovic (Performer), Timothy Eddy (Performer), David Schifrin (Performer), David Shifrin (Performer), Wynton Marsalis (Composer), Wynton Marsalis (Conductor, Performer), Orion String Quartet (Performer), Stefon Harris (Performer), David Taylor (Performer), Steven Tenebom (Performer), Daniel Phillips (Performer), Tony Phillips (Performer), Ida Kavafian (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Edgar Meyer, Milan Turkovic, Timothy Eddy, David Schifrin, David Shifrin, et al.
• Conductor: Wynton Marsalis
• Composer: Wynton Marsalis
• Audio CD (June 15, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000JBDU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #208,924 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The sound world of Wynton Marsalis just keeps expanding. With At the Octoroon Balls, the composer/jazz trumpeter has written his first composition for string quartet. Filled with Americana references and plenty of New Orleans soul, the piece may surprise you. "Come Long Fiddler" flows between the rollick of Appalachian Spring and the somber quietude of Satie. "Hellbound Highball" swings with the rhythmic intensity of a locomotive and "Blue Lights on the Bayou" is a somber tone poem. The Orion String Quartet treats these new works as if they were standards, with plenty of zest and energy. The bonus on this disc is A Fiddler's Tale Suite, featuring the instrumental highlights from Marsalis's Fiddler's Tale disc. Marsalis, playing alongside a crackerjack woodwind and horn ensemble from the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, especially shines here. Recorded as part of Marsalis's Swing into the 21st Century series of releases in 1999, this musical gumbo may too diverse for some ears, but Marsalis fans will be begging for more. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American Classic, June 30, 1999

By A Customer

Marsalis' genius never seems to stop. In this collection of music, he brings together the sounds of jazz and classical music in a way that will attract fans of both genres and leave permanent smiles on the faces of fans who had always hoped Marsalis would marshall his talents as a jazz and classical trumpet player into one piece of music.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting new music!, June 30, 1999

By A Customer

I recently heard the Orion Quartet perform selections from At the Octoroon Balls and was moved to order the CD immediately! An unexpected experience for those who only are exposed to one side of Marsalis. Beautifully performed, with great energy and precision, a real treat!