That many of our most treasured classical composers were outstanding improvisers is a fact that we tend to overlook. Partly that’s a function of them simply not being around to improvise any more, partly it’s because we pursue the “Urtext” in our desire to be true to what remains of their genius. An “Urtext” edition is an edition of the sheet music that tries to get to the artist’s original intention as closely as possible, a laudable goal but one that is often somewhat akin to trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
This desire to honour the composer’s intention sometimes leads to a reflexive dismissal of jazz-classical fusion, so it’s worth bearing in mind that Chopin, Bach, Mozart were all famous for their extraordinary ability to create brilliant music on the spot. Classically-inspired jazz albums honour this.
With that being said, not all jazz musicians have the depth of understanding required to do justice to those they seek to honour, so when an album as accomplished as Classicism: A Point of View by Swiss pianist Michael Arbenz comes along, it’s worth celebrating. The title itself is modest, the subtitle implying this is just one musician’s subjective perspective, but because Arbenz is evidently an expert musician with a deep familiarity with the source material, the tracks are both respectful and exhilaratingly creative. They switch effortly between idiomatic interpretations and contrasting improvisations as the video below, a reaction to Bach’s famous Prelude in C major, illustrates perfectly — especially that moment at about 4:35 when the original piece briefly returns after a riotous improvisation.
Other source material includes Debussy’s Clair de Lune, Hindemith’s Clarinet Concerto, Scriabin’s Prelude Op.11. No 5 and two pieces from Brahms; the 5th Hungarian Dance and his famous Lullaby. It’s fascinating, rich source material, and the musical journey that results is inspired. (Garreth Brooke)