Classical Changes

「Gershwinicity - ガーシュウィニシティ」(SOMMCD631)に続くピアニスト、イアン・ファリントンをメインとする
"アール・デコ・トリオ"の2作目のアルバム。イアン・ファリントンは、2012年のロンドン・オリンピックの開会式でローワン・アトキンソンの「炎のランナー」によるコミック・パフォーマンスでピアノを演奏し一躍注目を浴び、また2020年にはBBCプロムスで、ベートーヴェンの9つの交響曲をスリル満点な7分間に凝縮した「ベートーヴェニアーナ」を披露。
こちらもロックダウン下のロンドンの聴衆たちを熱狂させました。このアルバムでは、彼がお気に入りのクラシックの名曲を愉しく軽やかなジャズ風に編曲。
前作と同じくクラリネットのピーター・スパークスとサクソフォンのカイル・ホークが絶妙なアンサンブルを披露します。
ナクソス・ジャパン

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 Trios sophomore release, Classical Changes, pianist Iain Farrington has done more than simply transcribing this veritable whos 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 Farringtons 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-Korsakovs 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 Beethovens Fur Elise with Elises Blues (transforming it into a forlorn tale of love lost), two pieces from Bizets 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 doesnt 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