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Track Listings
| 1. Allegro |
| 2. Romance |
| 3. Rondo Presto |
| 4. Allegro |
| 5. Adagio |
| 6. Allegro Assai |
Product Description
Album Description
In his career-long quest to reinterpret classical music by filtering it through his unique jazz sensibility, pianist Jacques Loussier now takes on the work of Mozart's Piano Concertos. Uniquely, this time the Jacques Loussier Trio is accompanied by a String Orchestra.
Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor, K. 466, has been the bench-mark of all piano concertos, it was one of the very few Mozart compositions to be performed with any frequency during the 19th century, and it made a powerful impression on Beethoven, who composed two superb cadenzas for it. It in no surprise therefore, that Loussier should now make his mark.
Indeed, the basis for the concerto opens with the perfect backdrop for Loussier to work with - syncopations, agitated rhythms, grumbling in the bass to mark the downbeat, and no identifiable theme. The dialogue between piano and accompaniment converse seriously, yet wittily at the same time, each commenting on and attempting to outdo the other in persuasive technique. The Rondo Presto (track 3) immediately launches itself into a samba-type rhythm giving an extraordinarily up-beat feel to this movement.
Piano Concerto No.23 begins with an extended orchestral part followed by a piano solo, as per the original. The only off-set is the counter-beat of the percussion accompaniment. Again there is room for Loussier to explore, as unlike Mozart's other concertos, there is the absence of a solo theme, allowing him to create his own version. The second movement is a beautiful translation of Mozart's impassioned writing, with the string orchestra being used as a light accompaniment. The third movements invites the indivual instruments of the trio to show-off their true colours, as well as giving the string orchestra more of a say.
Personnel:
Jacques Loussier Trio with String Orchestra
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Firstly, if you are not familiar with his work, then this is not the place to start: try the 40th Anniversary Bach Book.
When Jacques moves away from Bach then we sometimes get mixed results. Overall, mixing the strings with the Jazz Trio works well - though the results are not always as stunning as we have come to expect. Hence the three stars.
Having said that, the Adagio is beautiful - this shows the Trio at their best. If you are a big fan then I would recommend this for the Adagio alone; if you are a Jacques Loussier "Bach" fan then I would suggest a peek at Baroque Favorites first.
When Jacques moves away from Bach then we sometimes get mixed results. Overall, mixing the strings with the Jazz Trio works well - though the results are not always as stunning as we have come to expect. Hence the three stars.
Having said that, the Adagio is beautiful - this shows the Trio at their best. If you are a big fan then I would recommend this for the Adagio alone; if you are a Jacques Loussier "Bach" fan then I would suggest a peek at Baroque Favorites first.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I agree with Lord Kirk's review. Mess with Moazart at your peril. Chick Corea got away with it very well in Piano Concertos 20 and 23 the attractive "The Mozart Sessions" CD (with Bobby McFerrin). I'm not so sure about Loussier's versions here. There's no disputing Loussier's genius; I'm a fan. But intelligent and interesting though this is, I don't know that it succeeds as well as Loussier's other offerings. That's not to say that this Mozart interpretation isn't interesting to listen to - it is. But it's not the place to start with these works. I think it's for people already well familiar with listening to them. I think, too that the same goes for Loussier himself - this isn't the place to start with him.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Good impersonation
28 Feb 2006
Format:Audio CD
Some of Loussier's attemps in the near past have blatantly back-fired. Ironically, such is the case with his own compatriot composers. This attempt is a nice take on two beloved piano concertos by Mozart, which includes some swinging counterpoint with a string orchestra.
Even though time has shown that only Bach's music can successfuly withstand this kind of treatment, at least this CD is not as boring as previous installments.
During the 70's Loussier released an astute and bouncy take on Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 5 (with orchestra also) on DECCA Phase 4. Would Polygram re-release it one day, please? It would be a great addition to those who discovered Loussier later on.
Even though time has shown that only Bach's music can successfuly withstand this kind of treatment, at least this CD is not as boring as previous installments.
During the 70's Loussier released an astute and bouncy take on Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No 5 (with orchestra also) on DECCA Phase 4. Would Polygram re-release it one day, please? It would be a great addition to those who discovered Loussier later on.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Good, but...
24 Dec 2006
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This jazz trio is best at interpreting impressionist classics, i.e., "Jacques Loussier Trio Plays Satie", which I highly recommend. While some of the most beautiful and creative music issues from "musical hybrid", and this trio is the best of this genre, "Mozart Piano Concertos 20/23" falls short in some places. For example, the Jacques Loussier Trio's treatment of the Romance movement of Concerto No. 20 in D Minor truly annoys due to the trap set, loud brushes et al. This passage is perhaps the most "impressionistic" part of Mozart's concerto and yet the other musicians do their best to disrupt Loussier's majestic piano work that undulates like the surf unfolding on a beach. Of course, like the pros they are, this music is redeemed in the end but I can't help feeling the trio was a little out of their element with Mozart.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Interesting, but not the best.
14 Aug 2009
Format:Audio CD
It pains me to say anything bad about some of the most amazing musicians. I can't recommend the Bach, and especially the Satie album enough. However, this Mozart album is a mess, to me. It's a bad marriage/juxtaposition of jazz combo with string orchestra. They really never seem like they belong together. It is disconcerting. I think the project would have worked much better with the combo exclusively. With the strings remaining basically unchanged, it pulls the listener in too many directions. I can really groove with the combo, and have enjoyed so many of their productions, but the choice to keep core elements unchanged was dizzying to me. Because I know these pieces backwards and forwards; to hear the core with occasional jazz licks was an odd mess. I would really like to hear it re-done without the string orchestra. Then I think the concept might shine through.
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