“For Three Strings & Orchestra” – Arcado (Mark Dresser, doublebass; Mark Feldman, violin; Hank Roberts, cello) plus Cologne Radio Orchestra/David de Villiers – Winter & Winter

by | Jun 2, 2006 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

“For Three Strings & Orchestra” – Arcado (Mark Dresser, doublebass; Mark Feldman, violin; Hank Roberts, cello) plus Cologne Radio Orchestra/David de Villiers –  Winter & Winter JMT Edition 919 050-2 (Distr. Allegro), 66:21 ****:

This repackaged reissue of a 1992 release presents four works of some length which seem to hark back to the Third Stream movement of some decades ago.  The three stringed instruments form a sort of concertino with the symphony orchestra being the ripeno.  Three of the pieces are by members of the string trio. The first and third works are fairly consistently atonal in a rather cold Germanic serialized style, however they may occasionally demonstrate some jazz-infused rhythms. Two and four, however, seem to strike a better balance of melodic content, and even begin to swing a bit.  The fourth and longest track – Naked Singularities – reminded me somewhat of The Rite of Spring, and in the middle section sounded exactly like Revueltas’ Sensamaya.  Feldman – the composer of the work – takes a great extended violin solo.  This track makes the whole effort more than worthwhile.

The packaging again uses the heavy black cardstock, but the note booklet of the original release is included. Unfortunately, like those with most ECM CDs, it tells absolutely nothing about the music or performers.  Sound and balances are excellent.

Tracks: For Not the Law; It’s a Free Country, Isn’t  It?; In Cold Moonlight; Naked Singularities.

– John Henry 

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