27 Kurt

"I prefer music that brings people together rather than politics that divides them…" This sentence could have sounded a bit cliché in the mouth of another, but in that of Kurt Masur, it took on a very concrete meaning, he who declined the offer made to him to play a political role in the construction of a reunified Germany… Born on July 18, 1927 in Brieg in Upper Silesia (today Brzeg in Poland but then German territory), Kurt Masur very young in Hitler's army. One of the 27 survivors of his company of 130 men, he enrolled at the Musikhochschule in Leipzig at the end of the war to study music. The direction is in fact not the first choice of the young Masur. Suffering from a genetic disease contracting the tendons of his fingers, he knew very early that a career as a pianist was not within his reach. This did not prevent him, after the war, from playing jazz (his great passion!), in clubs… In 1948, this fan of Furtwängler and Walter became chief rehearsal then conductor at the Théâtre de Hall. He continues as kappelmeister of the operas of Erfurt and Leipzig.

This is a sensation! For the first time, the previously unreleased jazz
recordings of the legendary German bandleader Kurt Edelhagen and his orchestra,
which were recorded between 1957 and 1974 in the
studios of the WDR, are presented here in a 3-CD box with detailed liner notes.Edelhagen, who was also responsible for more commercial recordings, shows off his talent for arranging and leading jazz big bands and shows that his orchestra are up there with the best large jazz ensembles of that time. The development of the orchestra is generously shown on this 3 CD box from the swinging 1957 ensemble to the experimental band of 1974. The names of the contributing soloists speak for themselves: Maynard Ferguson, Mark Murphy, Philly Joe Jones, Toots Thielemans, Albert Mangelsdorff, Benny Bailey, Jiggs Whigham, to name just a few.Another must have archival record from Jazzline!

In 1970 Kurt Masur took over the direction of one of the best orchestras in Germany and the world: the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. One year later, in 1971, these recordings of the 12 Youth Symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy were made. They bear witness to the emergence of a fruitful artistic relationship between Kapellmeister and musicians that was to last 26 years. Bold artistic spirit meets musical excellence here, resulting in a high level of listener enjoyment. Kurt Masur's masterful interpretation provides a revealing insight into the imagination of a talented young composer. These recordings now shine in new splendour through a loving analogue remaster.

In 1970 Kurt Masur took over the direction of one of the best orchestras in Germany and the world: the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. One year later, in 1971, these recordings of the 12 Youth Symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy were made.