<rant>
I'm a big fan of sacred choral music, and whilst not huge fan of the saxophone don't mind it in small doses. However, I never thought the 2 would appear together.

I listen to Classic FM at work, which often has some nice music on, although it tends to be the "pop" element of classical. Anyway, I've heard quite a few tracks of this bloke (?) Jan Garbarek which initially start out as very pleasant sounding sacred choral pieces until he starts honking away on his Sax.

The final travesty came today, when the DJ announced a piece of music by Thomas Tallis (one of my favourite composers) and about 20 seconds into it Jan if off on one with his Sax again. I'm sorry, but that's not on. What was he thinking? That he could "improve" the original?

What's next? Bagpipe solos over the Messiah? Electric Guitar solos over Beethoven?



</rant>

Matt

Dear Matt

You are quite right, just the thought of it makes me shiver all over.

Venlig hilsen

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt Gear:

What's next? Bagpipe solos over the Messiah? Electric Guitar solos over Beethoven?



</rant>

Matt

---

What's next, and over here in New Zealand at the moment, is AMICI, THE OPERA BAND.

That has got to be worse than Jan Garbarek.

Deane

I have that Garbarek CD (my brother bought me it for Christmas) - I have only played it once...
However, it is not as bad as the "Hi Fi Test Record" that a friend once purchased in the bargain bin at Woolworths. It consisted of electronic effects and synths played over popular classical pieces (played by an orchestra). It was only listenable if you were extremely stoned..

Ironic common ground

Personally I go for the saxophone in a really big way but can only tolerate sacred choral music in extremely small doses. Having said that Mr.Garbarek is about my least favourite sax player on the planet as I find his ice-maiden tone frigid and uninvolving - give me someone hot & dirty (like David Murray can be) any day! Are we talking that Hilliard thingy here? Haven't heard it - wouldn't waste my time (obviously!)

As for 'electric guitar solos over Beethoven' I totally agree - why anbody would want to mix a really stonking plank spank with boring old Ludwig is beyond me.



Jim

Although I generally agree with what's being said above, one album of his that I like is "Twelve Moons". In particular, the track "Arietta" (adapted from Grieg) is one of the most beautiful things ever recorded. I actually place much of the blame for this on the guy playing fretless bass, Eberhard Weber. I've always enjoyed his work.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I recommend the following collaboration, which works very well:

Jan Garbarek/Usted Fateh Ali Khan And Musicians from Pakistan: Ragas and Sagas

Nick