Search - Gordon Jones, John Potter :: Officium - Jan Gabarek & The Hilliard Ensemble

Officium - Jan Gabarek & The Hilliard Ensemble
Gordon Jones, John Potter
Officium - Jan Gabarek & The Hilliard Ensemble
Genres: Jazz, Special Interest, Pop, Classical
 
"What is this music?" Fundamentally, it's an exploration of what happens when an improvisatory instrumental voice (saxophone) is placed into the world of early vocal music, which has elements of both improvisation and fo...  more »

     
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Amazon.com essential recording
"What is this music?" Fundamentally, it's an exploration of what happens when an improvisatory instrumental voice (saxophone) is placed into the world of early vocal music, which has elements of both improvisation and formal structure. In reality, it's an adventure in which the four male voices of the Hilliard Ensemble travel the 14th- and 15th-century territory of Morales and Dufay, visit the 12th century of Perotin, and roam even earlier ages of plainchant, accompanied by the always sensitive and tasteful, often astonishing, saxophone improvisations of jazz master Jan Garbarek. Sometimes, these new melodies simply accompany; sometimes they transform the common--a routine minor chord, for instance--into a sublime, indescribable moment. The answer to the above question is easy, but it's different for each listener. --David Vernier

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CD Reviews

This CD is gorgeous.
Erik Gfesser | 05/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first I was sceptical about how the fusion of a vocal quartet and a jazz sax would sound. But after the first listening, my opinion changed. This is some of the most perfect music that I have ever heard. If you haven't got a copy of it, I would place an order immediately."
I Wish I Could be More Positive, but...
Thomas Tallis | Long Beach, CA United States | 01/05/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)

"...but I really hate the soprano sax played over these beautiful pieces. The singing is superb and the repertoire is rare (only one other recording of the Morales, for instance, and that is done quite differently, anent the sax).



I think I would have liked it better if Garbarak had played a lower horn, like an alto or tenor sax. These pieces are about something, and I don't feel that Gabarak really knew what the texts were about and what the composers were responding to in the texts.



I keep it for the exquisite "Parce mihi Domine" sung withoug the screeching sax.

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This is magical
Erik Gfesser | 03/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is innovative in many ways: At first impressions Choral and Sax is a not a natural combination. But why not, both have versatility and fragility that complement each other. The Hilliard Ensemble are good, but Jan Garbarek's leadership is breathtaking. Its as if you are floating in a hot air balloon, pure relaxation, and then a strong yet warm draft accelerates your speed. Jan penetrates the tranquility with a sensative vigour that is impressive. This CD is also extremely well recorded. I am an Hi-Fi buff and this is a CD that really shows off the best systems."