CD RELEASE
Joost Swart – Saxion V – Gustav Klimt String Quartet
Symbiosis

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NEWS

Pianist Joost Swart, the Gustav Klimt String Quartet and Saxion V shed new light on Claus Ogerman’s Symbiosis. Symbiosis is regarded as a milestone in the fusion between jazz and classical music, a form of crossover widely known as third stream.

Composed for piano trio and orchestra by Claus Ogerman in 1973, Symbiosis was first recorded in 1974, with the piano part played by jazz legend Bill Evans.This recording quickly became a hard-to-find collector’s item and received critical acclaim among many musicians and audiences all over the world, considering it to be a masterpiece.

Classical master pianist Glenn Gould, who is said to have been obsessed and influenced by Symbiosis over the years, called it “in many respects a rather remarkable work”, praised its “inventive harmonic imagination”, and loved its “enormous sweep and drive”. (in a 26 August 1977 broadcast in the CBC radio series Arts National)

Evans’ recording has become a collector’s item since, and Symbiosis got its rightful place in jazz history.However, after Evans’ recording in 1974, Ogerman’s symphony was never performed live or recorded in full again. Until now. The Morfo Music Foundation has initiated a revival of this extraordinary symphonic work.

Symbiosis was originally recorded by a symphony orchestra (The New York Philharmonic) , a saxophone section led by Phil Woods, additional woodwinds, and the Bill Evans Trio. Now Morfo Music brings you a fresh, adapted version of Symbiosis, arranged for a significantly smaller ensemble consisting of five strings, percussion, saxophone quintet and piano trio, featuring pianist Joost Swart, one of Holland’s upcoming piano players.

The adapted 2008 edition of Symbiosis puts, amongst other things, more emphasis on the saxophone and its improvising role. Due to the smaller ensemble the interaction and interplay between strings, saxophones and piano trio is brought to a more intimate level.

The renewed balance in the fusion between jazz and classical music makes this new arrangement of Symbiosis an interesting and excting performance. It reveals a new perspective from which Symbiosis can still be seen as a modern, up-to-date and timeless work of art.

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Joost Swart – Saxion V – Gustav Klimt String Quartet
Symbiosis
Composed & arranged by Claus Ogerman
Published by Glamorous Music Inc.

Tracks:
1. 1st Movement (Moderato, Various Tempi) :a
2. 1st Movement (Moderato, Various Tempi) :b
3. 1st Movement (Moderato, Various Tempi) :c
4. 2nd Movement (Largo, Andante, Maestoso, Largo) :a
5. 2nd Movement (Largo, Andante, Maestoso, Largo) :b

Adapted & orchestrated by Will Jasper & Rob Horsting
for piano trio, saxophone quintet
small string ensemble & percussion

Musicians:
Joost Swart, Piano & Fender Rhodes
Ruud Vleij, Bass
Gijs Dijkhuizen, Drums

Saxion V:
Will Jasper, Alto saxophone
Jorg Kaaij, Alto & Soprano saxophone
Paul van Batenburg, Tenor saxophone
Ad Colen, Tenor saxophone
Juan Martinez, Baritone saxophone

Gustav Klimt String Quartet:
Arlia de Ruiter, Violin
Lorre Lynn Trytten, Violin
Mieke Honingh, Viola
Bastiaan van der Werf, Cello

Additional musicians:
Clemens van der Feen, Bass
Mike Schäperclaus, Percussion

Credits:
Produced by Jorg Kaaij & Juan Martinez
Recorded & mixed by Paul Pouwer at Power Sound Studio
Mastered by Darius van Helfteren
Photography by Rhea Kaaij
Artwork by RheaLeneDesign
Label: Morfo Music
catalogue nr. MMCD 01
EAN/ISBN: 9-789081-258418
copyright Morfo Music 2008