Customer Reviews

Bolling: Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album contains the first pairing of flautist Jean Pierre Rampal and composer and jazz musician Claude Bolling. Rampal is renowned as the premier classical flautist. Bolling has received acclaim and awards as a composer, conductor, arranger and pianist.

The album contains some truly original and exciting jazz fusion. But where some great jazz requires an advanced degree in music to appreciate, this album is accessible. Yet, it is not the elevator jazz played on new age stations. It is more akin to The Dave Brubeck Five than Swing, the complex strains of Chick Corea or the the soft tones of Kenny G.

The album is aptly named. A Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio is exactly what is here. The album contains seven related, but contrasting songs. Tha album has a jazz underpinning over which Bolling and Rampal intertwine the classical flute with and jazz stylings. Sometimes, the music is of the counterpoint style, where the jazz piano and the classical flute have a discourse, each in its own style, but following the same musical theme. At other times, the two play the same melody in unison, yet continue to maintain their own style. And at other times, the flute and piano switch stylistic roles. Unique and enjoyable, this album is well worth listening to.

The flute and piano chase, mimic, dance and swing arm in arm thrugh this truly enjoyable compilation. I have listened to this album literally hundreds of times over 15 years without tiring. Wonderful, emotional, meaningful music, easily worthy of a 5 star rating. I would recommend it to strangers on the street.

This album is truly a work of art. Jazz trio meets classical flute...and it works! It is such beautiful music, that I can't imagine anyone not falling under its spell. It is like jazz music has married classical music, and what we are hearing are scenes from their honeymoon. It is delightful, airy, joyous and wonderful music, and I defy anyone to say they dislike it. I can't wait to hear Bolling's other compositions. The booklet includes good liner notes and a short bio on both Claude Bolling and Jean-Pierre Rampal. Recommended for all music lovers. A must-have!!

This is the one that started all the Bolling Suites--mixtures and admixtures of jazzy blues and classical themes. It works. It works well. I have always prized this in my collection, first in vinyl, now in CD. I think if you love music, period, you will get your 'dig on' with this.

I loved this record the very first time I ever heard it.The music has great range. It can go from a sunny picnic next to a willow tree to a smokey jazz cafe.Being a person who has always found classical music mundane and reserved for holidays, this album has opened my eyes to the emotions you can hear without words.

I first received a bootleg tape of this album in 1978, and immediately bought the vinyl. It has truly become a part of my life and that of my family as well, the cuts marking periods of our life just as well as they index the progressions through a continuous composition by Mr. Bolling. Sentimentale has wound its way into the fabric of all that we are together, Mr. Rampal's flute calling the tune for the wistful longing of days gone by. Truly one of the greatest recordings ever made.

I give this CD 10 stars! I have been listening to this recording since its' original release (on vinyl) almost 25 years ago. I have probably heard it 1,000 times and never tire of it. It ranges from soft and mellow to upbeat and swinging. Anyone who loves classical or jazz flute should own this CD. You won't be disappointed.

CLAUDE BOLLING IS THE KING AMONG SO MANY HUGE CROWNS, FASCINATING WORK, AMAZING FUN, PERFECT MASTER OF TRULY DELICATE MUSIC.

I am a classical music lover, but hearing Rampal play this jazz suite (which, as I recall, Bolling composed for Rampal) is a thrill. It's definitely "easy listening," in a good way - not elevator music, but not hard on the ears at all. I especially love the segment where Rampal plays the alto flute. The piece is upbeat, light, and even a little sassy.

This piece was very popular in the 1960's. It combines a bouncy jazz style piano part with a flute part that is playable without a jazz background,by turns playful and then lyrical.Rampal was still in very good form when it was recorded. The piano part is well played by the composer.