Othello Syndrome

Uri Caine (Composer), Uri Caine Ensemble (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Uri Caine Ensemble
• Composer: Uri Caine
• Audio CD (August 12, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Winter & Winter
• ASIN: B000UPQEHI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #176,636 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

2008 Grammy Award Nominee For Best Classical Crossover Album!!

Uri Caine continues his series of adaptations with Verdi's Otello. For the first time, Caine arranges a dramatic work with a mixture of stage and concert elements. Verdi's operatic story is the central thread through the composition, but Uri Caine equally cites from Shakespeare's original play. Arias are juxtaposed with R&B elements, bebop, and electronic sounds, but Verdi's famous melodies never lose their authenticity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Updated Verdi is worth a listen, March 13, 2009

By	Erich M. Hager "riff conway" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Uri Caine's interpretation of Verdi's Othello is an international affair clocking in at 75+min. It's much more of a straight-ahead ensemble piece compared to the wonderful cut & paste masterpiece that is 'The Goldberg Variations'. Initially recorded in 2005 and finished/mixed a couple years later, it has some memorable moments, especially from Caine mainstay Sadiq Bey doing his beat poet vocal rap. There's some fusion-type electric guitar that's a little annoying, hinting at Queen's 'Night at the Opera' sound at times. I would have liked to have heard some more free jazz which is quite outstanding when played in some of the intros. How closely this album follows the actual opera I couldn't say, not being that familiar with the source. There is one track that stands out though as some classic R&B standard, and once you hear the main riff/vocal it'll stick with you for some time. Nice job that one.