Classical Changes

by Art Deco Trio

Overview

The practice of performers adapting popular tunes has a long history, and the jazz movement that emerged in the early 20th century picked right up on the trend. For the Art Deco Trio's sophomore release, Classical Changes, pianist Iain Farrington has done more than simply transcribing this veritable who's who of classical hits, essentially recomposing them for himself and his fellow Trio members, Peter Sparks (clarinet) and Kyle Horch (saxophone). A quick glance at the track titles on this program will likely elicit a chuckle, but the witty titles relate to Farrington's take on the tunes. The Art Deco Trio offers a variety of styles in these interpretations, kicking things off with the snappy "The Bite of the Flumblebee" (after Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee), which will give listeners a sample of the technical skill held by the Trio members. Elsewhere, the Trio offers takes on Beethoven's Fuer Elise with "Elise's Blues" (transforming it into a forlorn tale of love lost), two pieces from Bizet's Carmen, and even remakes Brahms' Wiegenlied ("Lullaby"). Beyond the classical hits offered by the Trio are two suites that Farrington had originally arranged for different instrumentation before further adapting them: A Sea Shanty Shake-Up, for orchestra, and a collection of African American spirituals and traditional songs, Lay My Burden Down, which was first arranged for organ. A Sea Shanty Shake-Up is pure fun and fits the players well. On the other hand, while Lay My Burden Down has some quality moments, the clarinet-saxophone-piano sound doesn't quite have the weight required for the original songs, which could benefit from a more fleshed-out instrumentation and arrangement. There is something here for fans of classical and jazz music alike, and it may create new fans of both. ~ Keith Finke

Product Details

Release Date:	02/24/2023
Label:	SOMM RECORDINGS
UPC:	0748871066328

Tracks

1. Classical Changes~The Bite of the Flumblebee (after Rimsky-Korsakov)
2. Classical Changes~Valerie Takes a Ride (after Wagner)
3. Classical Changes~Elise's Blues (after Beethoven)
4. Classical Changes~Arrival Revival (after Handel)
5. Classical Changes~One Night in Seville (after Bizet)
6. Classical Changes~Jiffy Dance (after Bizet)
7. Classical Changes~Saturday in the Park with Elgar (after Elgar)
8. Classical Changes~Country Breaks (after Beethoven)
9. Classical Changes~Jim's Nobody (after Satie)
10. Classical Changes~Hungarian High-Five (after Brahms)
11. Classical Changes~3am Lullaby (after Brahms)
12. Classical Changes~There's a Storm Brewing (after Vivaldi)
13. A Sea Shanty Shake-Up~What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor
14. A Sea Shanty Shake-Up~Lowlands
15. A Sea Shanty Shake-Up~Sailor's Hornpipe
16. Lay My Burden Down~When I Lay My Burden Down
17. Lay My Burden Down~Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
18. Lay My Burden Down~Amazing Grace
19. Lay My Burden Down~Steal Away
20. Lay My Burden Down~Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Art Deco Trio   Primary Artist,Ensemble

Technical Credits

Iain Farrington   Arranger,Composer,Liner Notes
Siva Oke   Recording Producer
David M. Baker   Design
Edward Elgar   Original Material
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov   Original Material
Michael Quinn   Booklet Editor
Ludwig van Beethoven   Original Material
Erik Satie   Original Material
Antonio Vivaldi   Original Material
Johannes Brahms   Original Material
George Frederick Handel   Original Material
Georges Bizet   Original Material
Richard Wagner   Original Material
Ben Connellan   Engineer