Table of Contents:
A masterpiece: Bill Evans – Symbiosis (1974)
Bill Evans – Symbiosis (1974) 1st Mov.
Symbiosis, 2nd Movement: Largo – Andante – Maestoso – Largo, Pt.1
Released on: 2017-10-27
Artist: Bill Evans
Composer: Claus Ogerman
1st Movement (Moderato, Various Tempi) – 24:58 Track 1 (a) 7:58 Track 2 (b) 5:17 Track 3 (c) 11:43 2nd Movement (Largo- Andante – Maestoso – Largo) – 15:55 Track 4 (a) 9:11 Track
5 (b) 6:44
PERSONNEL
Piano [Steinway & Fender-rhodes] – Bill Evans Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor – Claus Ogerman Concertmaster – David Nadien Bass – Eddie Gomez Bassoon – Wally Kane Clarinet, Clarinet [Bass] – Danny Bank , Ron Janelly Congas – Ralph McDonald Contrabassoon – Donald MacCourt Drums – Marty Morell Flute – Bill Slapin , Don Hammond , Hubert Laws French Horn – Al Richmond , Brooks Tillotson , Earl Chapin , James Buffington , Pete Gordon (2) ,
Ray Alonge Oboe – George Marge , Phil Bodner Percussion – Dave Carey , Doug Allen , George Devens Saxophone [Alto] – Harvey Estrin , Jerry Dodgion , Phil Woods , Walt Levinsky Trombone [Bass] – Paul Faulise , Tommy Mitchell Trombone [Tenor] – Urbie Green Trumpet – Bernie Glow , Johnny Frosk , Marky Markowitz, Marvin Stamm , Mel Davis , Victor Paz Tuba – Don Butterfield.
Bill Evans – Symbiosis
Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans is most often thought of as a “trio” player, as most of his albums have been piano/bass/drums, with the occasional solo or duo album. But he did record a select few albums with orchestras, and that’s what makes SYMBIOSIS a special and unique entry in Evans’ hugh catalog. Recorded in 1974, it was released in 1994 on CD for the first time.
Further, these albums contains no standards or Evans originals –the title piece is a multipart suite composed, arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman (who also collaborated with Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra, among many others).
The album runs the stylistic gamut: there are moments of Philip Glass-like minimalism (!), samba-flavored big-band passages, echoes of the early 20th century Russian composers, Third Stream jazz, lush yet slightly ominous string arrangements and ’70s film music. Throughout,
Evans, alternating between acoustic and electric pianos, shimmers and entrances with his inventively lyrical solos. Not your “typical” Bill Evans album–but that’s what makes SYMBIOSIS such a fine, gently challenging listen. —Rovi