Customer Reviews

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

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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).

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.

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.

This CD is an extremely interesting rendetion of variations to the Allegretto. As a fan of Beethoven and a person that cannot stop humming the Allegretto, I found this CD to be extremely interesting and pleasurable to listen to.

Loussier's interweavings of classical music and jazz are inspirational. Each new foray brings yet another delight. Some are closer to the original scores, and demonstrate how effectively a trio can bring out new dimensions in the music. Others are farther down the continuum of jazz improv, and yield true gems.

This Loussier/Beethoven CD is, I think is the best he's done, and for initiates into his soundworld, the best place to start to get a feel for his art. In my mind, he's picked absolutely the right movement of Beethoven, and laid pathos, originality (and, yes, some humor) into his rendering. The performance and the sound are first-rate.

Any dinner guests in my house are exposed to this CD as an ice breaker. Among those with even a passing knowledge of classical music, its very interesting see how many start to perk up when they sense (even subliminally) that something is different....many then start listening VERY carefully, and they often break into small smiles.

Its hard to go wrong with any of the Loussier CDs. In fact, 7 of his recordings have earned a place of prominence right next to the CD player. They'll all be worn through long before their time, no doubt.

For those who like this particular alchemy of clasical and jazz improv, other Loussier recordings that capture this "blend" are:

--Loussier/Satie
--Lousier/ Debussy
--Loussier plays baroque favorites

Others hew perhaps a little closer to the original score. For exmaple the Bach recordings (Brandenburgs)are evry close (but worthy nonetheless.) The goldbergs are wonderful.

I can't recommend these enough. Bon appetit!