Jacques Loussier - thoughts & recommendations

[ejp626]

Only a few weeks ago I became aware of Jacques Loussier, who does jazz (or jazz-inspired) renditions of Bach and other classical composers. Unfortunately, due to a screw up on BBC radio, the last 10 minutes of his Brandenburg Concerto 5 was cut off. I don't know if this London concert was released, but it may be the same as the version on a DVD of his just released.

Anyway, I am thinking of picking up some of his CDs. I think the natural thing would be if there was a box set of his Play Bach 1-5, but this does not exist. www.zweitausendeins.de has the next best thing - a 3 CD set that draws on this and some other recordings (unfortunately I wasn't aware of this when I ordered from them recently and don't have anything else to combine with the order). I am a bit amazed that this doesn't appear to be available in the US or UK, where the best of sets are only two CDs. I haven't checked amazon.fr yet.

So I'm wondering if people have any of his recordings and would recommend any particular starting point. Thanks!

[Alexander]

I've only got his most recent CD which is an interesting take on a couple of Mozart concertos. Rather than doing a jazz trio arrangement (which is what he's done in the past) this CD is for jazz trio and string ensemble. The trio parts are improvised, the string parts are not and are taken straight from the Mozart concertos. So you have Loussier and trio improvising on Mozart in front of a string ensemble playing Mozart straight. It's pretty interesting. I'm interested in checking out some of his other stuff...

[marcoliv]

brownie will kill me but i have to place some recommendations here (just kidding Guy )

my favorite so far and i'm sure Bright Moments will second that: Satie - Gymnopedies et Gnossiennes released by Telarc

from the decca ones, my favorite is play bach at champs-elysees

if you want something different from his regular stuff i'd say Bach To The Future

the DVD is extremely well done (image & sound) and Andre Arpino et Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac are top players too

Marcus

[brownie]

brownie will kill me but i have to place some recommendations here (just kidding Guy )

Not in a killing mood these days, Marcus

However I take my jazz straight. And I take my classics straight.

Just not interested in the Loussier mix!