Search - Dave Brubeck :: Brandenburg Gate Revisited (Limited Edit

Disappointing

R. LaRue | Crozet, VA United States | 11/03/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this record on vinyl when it first came out. I found it again recently in my parents' attic. I took it home, and put it on my aging turntable again--and remembered why I didn't take it with me the first time when I left the house year's ago. Seems many, it not all jazz musicians (up through at least the '60's) felt the need to "legitimize" their work by playing in front of a full concert orchestra--or in the case of the immortal Duke, even composing for one.I like classical music. I like jazz. I also like orange juice and milk. But with music, as with beverages, I don't like the mixture.This album does not swing. It may lull you to sleep.I love every tune on this album--but not the versions on the album. The later versions are lush and phony--sounding like bad hollywood sound tracks, at best. The most telling example of degeneracy is the title piece, 'Brandenburg Gate,' first recorded on 'Jazz Impressions of Eurasia.' (A stupendous album, by the way.) Originally concieived as a Bach-like composition, both contrapuntal and polyphonic in form and execution, it is a masterpiece of integrating 18th century elements and reconceiving them in swing. And just like a great Bach keyboard work, it is spare and crisp--nothing wasted, yet nothing missing.Now, however, the same piece orchestrated in the style of Holly Ridge Strings loses every smidgeon of grace. The real "classic" elements of the original composition--the 18th century form, feeling, and intellectual tone--are subverted by a string arrangement that owes nothing to Bach and much to muzak.Don't buy this CD unless you are, like me, a fan, and would listen to anything DBQ ever did--even if it were awful."

Great with wine after a rough day at work/school

topaze15 | Charlotte, NC United States | 08/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is usually one of the first albums I reach for when I am looking for a smooth-over: the very first phrases of the first track are like a great big sigh, and it draws you into a fully engaging CD of classical and jazz. I notice this isn't one of Amazon's essential Brubeck recordings - his body of work must be stellar!"

Dave Brubeck's '' jazz symphony ''

abdel aziz | Alexandria-Egypt | 08/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one my favourite Brubeck albums ;all the tunes are excellent ; the quartet is in top form .

Brubeck blends jazz and classical music amazingly.People want him to swing but they're talking to the wrong man ; Brubeck is from a classical background ( learning from people like DARIUS MILHAUD )

so it's natural that he has a tendency towards classical music and no one

mixed classical music and jazz quiet as brubeck did.

Turn the lights off and listen to this jazz symphony.

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