Jacques Loussier: Theme and Variations on Beethoven's Allegretto from Symphony No. 7

Jacques Loussier (Artist), Andre Arpino (Artist), Benoit Dunoyer De Segonzac (Artist), Beethoven (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B0000DB4YL
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,066 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Theme

2. Variation One

3. Variation Two

4. Variation Three

5. Variation Four

6. Variation Five

7. Variation Six

8. Variation Seven

9. Variation Eight

10. Variation Nine

11. Variation Ten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spiritual piece of classical music turned into variations for a jazz trio, March 11, 2006

By 

Joaquim Tarinas (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jacques Loussier: Theme and Variations on Beethoven's Allegretto from Symphony No. 7 (Audio CD)

As other reviewers use to say when they post the first commentary about a disc: I cannot understand why there are no enthusiastic reviews about this CD yet.

I'm a fan of the Play Bach series that Loussier and his trio started recording un 1959. On the other hand I'm not particularly excited about the arrangements he did for pieces of other composers (like the Four Seasons, the Bolero and so on). But I particularly like this variations on a theme from Beethoven. The reason why? I think it's clearly expressed in the liner notes of the disc: Loussier choose to expand this theme because of its spiritual nature. This is what links this CD with the ones from Bach. JSB is a very spiritual composer as well (mailnly all his music could be seen as religious music). The fact that it can be so naturally transcribed for a jazz trio may have to do with the particular obsession of Bach with the numerological and mathematical thing in his writing the music (it can be played in many different styles without losing its grace and depth).

As for the Beethoven adaptation, we have Loussier going for it after recording the Goldberg Variations for a jazz trio. And this one is a variation thing on one single main theme, turning it into impressionist music, into a samba and many other styles in a creative way. Preserving the spiritual nature of it, as happens in his renditions from Bach compositions.

A nice music to enjoy while doing many other things, or just listening to it.

(My mother's tongue is not English, so I apologize for any gramatical mistakes in my comment).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible cd! and audiophile's dream, March 18, 2006

By 

insoc (Miami, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jacques Loussier: Theme and Variations on Beethoven's Allegretto from Symphony No. 7 (Audio CD)

Today I was at a high end store and in one of their listening stations they was playing this CD. In just a few seconds I came to find that it was the most beloved Beethoven's symphony No. 7 being played but in a jazz style. They combined symphony No. 7 main melody so well into a jazz mood it captivated me. This is not your vulgar and cheap disco, jazz, pop, electronic or whatever combination with classical music that unfortunately abounds everywhere. No, this is a whole new and great experience. I guaranteed you won't be dissapointed at all. Oh, and about the audiophile thing, this CD sounds just great. It is really a great sample cd of your equipment performance and potencial. The mood and ambiance this album creates is not oftenly found. This is a hidden gem. Do not hesitate to buy it if you love jazz music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Una excelente y novedosa aproximación a Beethoven, May 12, 2007

By 

Jose Fernando Acevedo (Medellín, Colombia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jacques Loussier: Theme and Variations on Beethoven's Allegretto from Symphony No. 7 (Audio CD)

A pesar de que soy fanático de J.S. Bach y de los arreglos que Jacques Loussier hace de su música (tengo gran parte de su discografía) me parece excelente y respetuosa esta novedosa aproximación a Beethoven.

Es un disco que deben tener aquellos que aman a Beethoven y el Jazz.