Mahler: Urlicht; Uri Caine: Primal Light

by Uri Caine

Overview

Very few, if any, attempts to merge classical music and jazz have succeeded. Somehow, jazz pianist Uri Caine's masterful and magnificent interpretations of selected works of the 19th century classical composer Gustav Mahler work remarkably well. Of course, it does not hurt to work with a stellar ensemble, including trumpeter Dave Douglas, violinist Mark Feldman, clarinetist Don Byron, and drummer Joey Barron, and turntable spinner DJ Olive, among others. However, it is Caine's clever arrangements that take the cake. He does not simply "jazz up" Mahler, which would mock the greatness of his works. Instead, he worms himself inside the songs and harmonies and uses them as a starting point to create a related, but new, synthesis of his music. Jewish folk melodies, cantorial renditions, free jazz, and classical violin are all merged in a whole that transcends the parts. ~ Steve Loewy

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/1998
Label:	WINTER & WINTER
UPC:	0025091000425

Tracks

1. Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor~Trauermarsch (Funeral March)
2. Der Tamboursg'sell, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) in D minor (Aus letzter Zeit No. 2)
3. Nun will die Sonn'so hell aufgeh'n, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) in D minor (Kindertotenlieder No. 1)
4. Oft denk' ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) in E flat major (Kindertotenlieder No. 4)
5. Symphony No. 1 in D major ("Titan")~Movement 3
6. Symphony No. 2 in C minor ("Resurrection")~Urlicht (Primal Light)
7. Work(s)~Ging heut' morgen ¿¿bers Feld from "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" (Songs of a Wayfarer) / Andante
8. Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor~Adagietto
9. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra~Der Trunkene im Fr¿¿hling (The Drunkard in Spring)
10. Wer hat dies Liedlein erdacht?, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) in F major (Des Knaben Wunderhorn No. 4)
11. Das Lied von der Erde, for alto (or baritone), tenor & orchestra~Der Abschied (The Farewell)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Uri Caine   Primary Artist,Piano
Josh Roseman   Guest Artist,Trombone
Don Byron   Guest Artist,Clarinet
Michael Formanek   Guest Artist,Bass
Dave Douglas   Guest Artist,Trumpet
David Binney   Guest Artist,Sax (Soprano)
Aaron Bensoussan   Hand Drums,Percussion,Cantor
D.J. Olive   Turntables
Joey Baron   Drums
Larry Gold   Cello
Danny Blume   Guitar,Electronics
DJ Olive   Turntables
Arto Lindsay   Vocals
Dean Bowman   Vocals
Mark Feldman   Violin

Technical Credits

Franz Winter   Liner Notes
Robert "RX Lord" Lewis   Photography
Robert Lewis   Photography,Photography
Luis Carlos Gago   Liner Note Translation
Louis Bloom   Liner Note Translation
Jean-Philippe Riby   Liner Note Translation
Stefan Winter   Producer
Gustav Mahler   Composer
Joe Marciano   Engineer
Carlos Albrecht   Mixing,Editing,Mastering Engineer
Uri Caine   Arranger,Adaptation
Klaudia Ladurner   Liner Note Translation