Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour

Dave Grusin (Artist), Lee Ritenour (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca U.S.
• ASIN: B00004XR4R
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,086 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Melding jazz and classical music has been attempted with varying degrees of success by luminaries from George Gershwin to Miles Davis to The MJQ; even Grover Washington took a shot at it shortly before his passing. It is hard to discern much jazz in Grusin and Ritenour's venture, unless it is to bring out the implied swing in Bach's Concerto in A Minor for Four Keyboards and Strings, or a propensity for "smooth jazz" romanticism in some melodies and lush string arrangements. They do offer a varied program including some impassioned Bartók (featuring violinist Gil Shaham) and some sprightly Spanish dances courtesy of composer Manuel de Falla The high point, though, is soprano Renee Fleming's performance of "Cantilena" from Villa Lobos's "Bachianas Brasilieras," which proves as ethereal and haunting as its subject matter--the moon. Fleming also reveals a surprising soulfullness and unexpected feel for jazz phrasing in her performances of "The Water Is Wide" and "Shenandoah." In the end, it is she who truly brings the two worlds together. --Michael Ross

Product Description

Audio CD in jewel case with cover art and insert.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Mix From Two Worlds, January 1, 2001

By 

M. Brough "marybfrito" (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour (Audio CD)

To be honest, the only reason I bought this disc was to hear Renee Fleming. The power and the beauty of her voice is spine-tingling! Dave Grusin agrees, just read the liner notes. How intelligent of Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour to blend two different genres together to create something beautiful. Critics aside,to try something new with something familier is remarkable.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasant cross-over album for Grusin and Ritenour fans, September 26, 2000

By 

Arry Tanusondjaja (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour (Audio CD)

If you are a fan of Grusin and you like his Orchestral Album, you would also like his new collaboration with Ritenour. The result of their work together is more of a classical album, rather than jazz. The involvement of Renee Fleming adds some weight and charisma as well. Grusin's composition in this album carried the same thread as "Cubra Libre (Se Fue)" in "The Orchestral Album" - smooth and romantic, and "heavy" with instruments.

Upon playing the CD, dim the light, rearrange the order of the songs by putting the lively ones at first and play "Bachiana Brasileira" and "River Songs" back to back, and close with the melancholy "Lagrima" ...

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Worlds, October 31, 2000

By 

Marjorie C. Rigney (Sarasota,, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour (Audio CD)

It wasn't what my husband and I were expecting. We were expecting more of a jazz sound. We were both just blown away by this CD - it is just breath-taking - gives you goose bumps, the whole works. We recommend it to anyone, it is a music lover's CD.