The poetry of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud inspired composers Fauré, Debussy and Britten, and in turn spurred Grammy Award-nominated tenor Nicholas Phan to combine their works on his new album, 'Illuminations'.
With the arrival of Benjamin Britten on the international music scene, many felt that English music gained its greatest genius since Purcell. A composer of wide-ranging talents, Britten found in the human voice an especial source of inspiration, an affinity that resulted in a remarkable body of work, ranging from operas like Peter Grimes (1944-1945) and Death in Venice (1973) to song cycles like the Serenade for tenor, horn, and strings (1943) to the massive choral work War Requiem (1961). He also produced much music for orchestra and chamber ensembles, including symphonies, concerti, and chamber and solo works. Britten's father was a prosperous oral surgeon in the town of Lowestoft, Suffolk; his mother was a leader in the local ……
From Allmusic
Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith with Orange Wave Electric, an all-star electric band including guitarists Nels Cline, Brandon Ross and Lamar Smith; bassists Bill Laswell and Melvin Gibbs; electronic musician Hardedge; percussionist Mauro Refosco; and drummer Pheeroan akLaff.
Benjamin Koppel, Danish Jazz saxophonist and composer, is one of the most award-winning musicians of his generation, renowned for his versatility and virtuosity. 'Illuminations' is the first album in the series 'Living Room Recordings'. Inspired by the visionary French poet Arthur Rimbaud’s unfinished poetry collection Illuminations (1874), this is an elegant, animated collaboration between two brilliant musicians. The compositions are written and played by Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel, with the great Frenchman Jean-Michel Pilc on piano, and are rich with celebration of French culture and philosophy, its sophistication and history…
Carlos proves to the world that he's still got his jazz chops in the right direction – even during his stardom of the mid 70s – and he's working here with a group that mixes avant players like Coltrane, Jack DeJohnnette, and Dave Holland, and funkier players like Jules Broussard and Armando Peraza. The tracks are spacey meditation jams – sometimes quite out, sometimes mellow and soulful – and titles include "Guru Sri Chinmoy Aphorism – Angel Of Air", "Angel Of Water", "Angel Of Sunlight", and "Illuminations".