Customer Reviews

Wynton Marsalis: The London Concert

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marsalis plays the best trumpet I have ever heard. The recording is the finest example of what SACD can do. I found myself marveling at the sound and the playing of Marsalis. Have been listening to classical music for 50 years and this was the best recording of (1)the orchestra, (2)the concert hall and (3)the trumpet. I cannot recall ever being as impressed, except by the live music in Boston's Symphony Hall or Jordan Hall. I have this recording done originally in the 90's and love it, but this re-recording onto SACD is astounding.

With this recording of his London Concert in 1994, Wynton Marsalis has again released similar selections as performed with conductor Raymond Leppard in 1987. In those seven years, the versatile Marsalis geared more towards his jazz playing instead of his classical. For whatever reason, this shift seems to have greatly affected the brilliant trumpet tone he possessed on the 1987 album. While Marsalis still has his unquestioned technical virtuosity, he has, at times, a very airy and spread sound.

In the London Concert, two cornerstones of the trumpet repertoire are included: The Haydn and the Hummel Concerti. The playing on both is very forward, almost too much so at times; this is likely the result of an improperly placed microphone. The cadenzas are fantastic on both, and different than the ones he chose in his 1987 recording. It is unclear whether Marsalis or Leppard chose to make far more ornaments than normally heard on the Haydn, but whatever the case, they are overdone and sound entirely inappropriate in many key areas of the piece. In addition, Marsalis has a new fascination with taking many of the original notes up the octave, which sounds utterly gross and tacky.

The best move in this case is to go for the 1987 recording with the Marsalis who sticks more to the ink on the page, while retaining the same technical virtuosity we have admired over the years. An even BETTER move would be Maurice Andre's "Best of Maurice" EMI 4-CD recording which contains all of the works on the London Concert.

Prehaps my fellow reviewer is right and this may not be the most technically correct rendition of Haydn. However, to a non-musician, this album is just staggeringly good. Wynton's trumpet playing soars. I know that classical music is about blending and pacing, but I like the element of jazz that has crept in. He is solo-ing to an orchestral accompaniment. It takes my breath away to listen to those clear, pure notes reinterpreting music I have heard all my life. I do love his jazz, but I will never, ever get rid of my classical Marsalis CDs.

The way Marsalis can blend a style of jazz and classical into the songs he is performing is excellent. I especially enjoyed his cadenza in the Haydn concerto which shows off his exquisite trumpet playing capabilities you don't get from other trumpeters. The style he plays with almost reminds me of the great Al Hirt when he played the concerto with the Boston Pops. This is an excellent CD and also features, unlike the 1987 recording, the Fasch Concerto. This CD should be a part of every players listening repetoire.

This is the finest classical trumpet recording I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. If one researches Wynton Marsalis albums, one will find that he has recorded the pieces appearing on this CD quite a few times. However, I find this performance to be his best, and the recording quality to be as well. This CD is superb for aspiring trumpeters, like myself, other musicians, or just an individual who appreciates fantastic music. You will not be disappointed with this CD.

One of the best concerts I have heard. Marsalis has such a tremendous tone (I like bright trumpet). Only disappointment is that CD from marketplace seller does not include the extra tracks, but did not state this.

These are excellent performances of some popular trumpet concertos & the SACD stereo sound (not 5.1) is first class. However, at three quarters of an hour the disk is decidedly short measure - these days one expects at least an hour of music, preferably a lot more. To add to the insult, Sony Classical has is an ordinary CD available that includes the same performances of these four concertos plus two others, both played by Wynton Marsarlis. I am a great fan of SACD but I do not think this disk is worth the considerable extra cost when compared with the ordinary CD with the same performances.