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Franz Koglmann Septet: Fruits Of Solitude

By Mark Corroto
February 19, 2020
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Franz Koglmann

flugelhorn
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Franz Koglmann must be a connoisseur of vinification, i.e. winemaking, because his Fruits Of Solitude has the feel of a master vintner at work. Specifically, wine blends like Super Tuscans or C?tes du Rh?nes mark his amalgam of European chamber music and American jazz. Koglmann is a true polymath in that he hears all and rejects any codifications, much like

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington did throughout his long career.

As for Ellington, his classic "Solitude" is the inspiration for the three variations on Duke's theme. Koglmann, like Ellington, is inclined to create variations on variations. His instrumentation here—five horns and two strings—is the perfect blend to create this hybrid music. Hybrid, not fusion. This is not third stream music, but a fine propagation of sound. He draws from European compositional forms and the cool jazz that

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans and

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis evoked with their nonet. Besides the dip into Ellingtonia, he touches on

Jimmy Giuffre

clarinet
1921 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Giuffre with "Finger Snapper," and Dick Twardzik on "Yellow Tango." Both performances exude a shy swing by way of the orchestral instrumentation.

The inclusion of the Italian saxophonist

Daniele D'Agaro

clarinet, bass
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Daniele D'Agaro assures the sound abides a jazz filter. Koglmann's "Martians Don't Go Home Anymore" is the most playful track on the recording. It is a take-off on West Coast trumpeter

Shorty Rogers

trumpet
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Shorty Rogers's alien-themed compositions "Martians Come Back" and "Martians Stay Home." Koglmann's arrangement mixes West Coast cool with

George Gershwin

composer / conductor
1898 - 1937

" data-original-title="" title="">George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue," Leonard Bernstein's Broadway and

Raymond Scott

b.1908

" data-original-title="" title="">Raymond Scott's cartoon music. Sounds pongy, but in the hands of a master vintner, this blend is 90+ points.

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Track Listing

Fruits of Solitude II; Martians Don't Go Home Anymore; For Max; Untitled; Garden with Blue Terrace; Salut Solal; Fruits of Solitude I; Finger Snapper; Leopard Lady; Fruits of Solitude III; Yellow Tango.

Personnel

Franz Koglmann

flugelhorn

John Clark

french horn

Daniele D'Agaro

clarinet, bass

Mario Arcari

oboe

Milan Turkovic

bassoon

Attila Pasztor

cello

Peter Herbert

bass, acoustic

Album information

Title: Fruits Of Solitude | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: ezz-thetics

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