Baroque Favorites

Jacques Loussier Trio (Artist), Marin Marais (Artist), Alessandro Marcello (Artist), Johann Pachelbel (Artist), Domenico Scarlatti (Artist), Tomaso Albinoni (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B00005Q5LU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,227 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( M ) > Marais, Marin
  #12 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( M ) > Marcello, Alessandro
  #28 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( S ) > Scarlatti, Domenico

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Jacques Loussier Trio has recorded numerous albums applying European jazz sensibilities to classical material, following and refining the path laid down by Dave Brubeck in his crossover material of the '50s. Combining a feathery piano touch with a swinging rhythm section, Loussier reveals the affinity between the two worlds. Loussier reworks pieces by Scarlatti, Marcello, Albinoni, and three by Handel (including the lengthy Concerto in F Major for Organ) effectively, more concerned with subtly outlining harmonic contours than exhibiting the ornamentation usually associated with baroque music. This approach produces tasteful and elegant French jazz, ideal for the cozy pub or the luxury-liner lounge. Additionally, the trio deserves a warm round of applause for rendering Pachabel's over-worked Canon in D Major in a fresh manner. --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Make It 4 1/2 Stars, August 23, 2002

By	Oliver Towne (Riverside, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Wally Shoup has pretty much nailed it in his review. I just want to add that it is remarkable how consistent Loussier has remained over a span of more than four decades.

Last night I played "Baroque Favorites" back-to-back with a reissue LP of his 1959 debut. I was struck by the similarity of sound and style between the two. I don't know if it's intentional, but with the latest bass player Loussier has nearly recreated the sound of the original trio. At the same time, the playing is more refined and subtle. "Play Bach" was very much a hit in 1959, but "Baroque Favorites" shows the concept is still fresh and that it is possible to grow without abandoning old ideas.

At first, like reviewer Dan Cohen, I thought that Loussier's treatment of other composers wasn't as strong as his Bach work. I've changed my mind, however. There's a smoother integration of Jazz and Baroque here than in "The Bach Book." The music has fewer non-Baroque parts grafted onto it, and the bass and drum solos are shorter and fit better. I also like the selection of pieces and their sequence, and I agree with Shoup about the Pachelbel Canon in D Major. I had hesitated to buy "Favorites" because of the inclusion of this Top 40 chestnut, but fortunately Loussier gives it a fresh spin.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not his best - but worthwhile, November 22, 2001

By	Dan Cohen (Ramat-Gan Israel) - See all my reviews

Loussier is at his best when he plays Bach. His rendition of Vivaldi's Four seasons is also excellent, and he is quite efficient in handling his Baroque favorites on this CD, but something is missing.
Loussier made his career on Bach because (and he said so himself) Bach makes the most Jazz-effective classical compositions. Perhaps these baroque compositions didn't go through Loussier's jazz-converter as well or as brilliantly as those others. Perhaps Loussier just coughed this CD without too much effort.
In any case - I bought it, and I am quite pleased I did (and this is the best bottom line possible...)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baroque Favourites is a fantastic CD!, July 17, 2003

By	Fred (Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

Jacques Loussier has evolved only faintly in the more than 40 years he has Played Bach. This version displays a mellow style only vaguely aged. The trio's current bass player, Benoit Dunoyer De Segonzac, has a particularly tantalizing way of interpreting the Baroques. In this effort Loussier has successfully recreated the pop Pachelbel Cannon in D into another hit. I particularly like the Handel tracks at open, midway and close. (and would too purchase Loussier's Water Music & Royal Fireworks CD). And this would have to be the coolest version of Albinoni's also popular Adagio. As expected, Telarc's crew of sound engineers and hifi techno gurus have created a flawless recoding. Buy it! You won't be disappointed.