Two legends met to perform at the Philharmonie, Cologne on May 20th and 21st 1988 for a release in the WDR The Cologne Broadcasts series. Both musicians knew each other longtime from way back during World War II; as teenagers, Friedrich Gulda and his friend Joe Zawinul would go out and perform forbidden musics, like jazz, in violation of the Nazi government's prohibition on the playing of such music. Includes a composition by Johannes Brahms. Music For Two Pianos includes musician and composer credits, plus liner notes and self-portraits by Friedrich Gulda and Joe Zawinul in English, French, and German.
Accordionist Klaus Paier and cellist Asja Valcic have been making music as a duo for ten years. Their playing has kept audiences delighted and critics enthralled: "Breathtaking," said the magazine Der Spiegel; they are "a captivating match" (The Guardian). During this time the two have recorded four albums which have received numerous awards. The duo’s journey together began in 2009 with their debut album "À Deux", and since then Paier and Valcic have proceeded to make their unique accordion-plus-cello sound into a thing of wonder. The titles of the previous albums by these two musicians, who live in Austria, give pointers to the elements that go into the making of their acts of musical creation: in 2013 their path together continued with "Silk Road", followed by "Timeless Suite" (2015), which in turn led to the more opulent "Cinema Scenes", for quartet. The sound is always their starting point: they have a finesse and eloquence from classical music, combined with the free-thinking, quicksilver instinctiveness of jazz, and influences from many parts of the world. And what results is capacious, widescreen music.
Seventeen years is a long time between albums. It's even longer when you consider the magnitude of how much life happens during that interval. Tears for Fears had experienced mega pop successes (and loads of industry pressure) with Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love. Curt Smith, sick of paying fame's price, quit in 1991. Roland Orzabal carried on the name for two more lackluster albums. The lads reunited for 2004's Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, but it was short-lived. They planned to record again shortly thereafter, but Orzabal's wife Caroline became gravely ill. Further, their record company tried pairing them with contemporary hitmaking songwriters. They scuttled the sessions. Caroline died in 2017, and a bereft Orzabal turned to his old friend Smith for community and solace; the duo began touring and writing together again in a room with two acoustic guitars. The Tipping Point was eventually completed during the pandemic…
Seventeen years is a long time between albums. It's even longer when you consider the magnitude of how much life happens during that interval. Tears for Fears had experienced mega pop successes (and loads of industry pressure) with Songs from the Big Chair and The Seeds of Love. Curt Smith, sick of paying fame's price, quit in 1991. Roland Orzabal carried on the name for two more lackluster albums. The lads reunited for 2004's Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, but it was short-lived. They planned to record again shortly thereafter, but Orzabal's wife Caroline became gravely ill. Further, their record company tried pairing them with contemporary hitmaking songwriters. They scuttled the sessions. Caroline died in 2017, and a bereft Orzabal turned to his old friend Smith for community and solace; the duo began touring and writing together again in a room with two acoustic guitars. The Tipping Point was eventually completed during the pandemic…
Originally released on vinyl in 1979, Ballads For Two finds both musicians at the top of their game. Recorded on the 8th and 9th January 1979 in Stuttgart, Germany, this original vinyl release was not widely distributed. Now available for the first time on CD, the combination of Wolfgang's originals & well chosen covers is stunning. Baker's trumpet is emotive and telepathic with Wolfgang's vibes. Two bonus tracks are added from the original recording session. Chet plays a beautiful muted trumpet on the alternate take of Why Shouldn’t You Cry. Both musicians really stretch out on Double O, a Lackerschmid original. A Four Star review from Downbeat noted, "Ballads For Two arrives as an unexpected treat, defying Baker's detractors and placing him with success in unfamiliar surroundings." Highlights are Blue Bossa & Waltz For Susan.
Originally released on vinyl in 1979, Ballads For Two finds both musicians at the top of their game. Recorded on the 8th and 9th January 1979 in Stuttgart, Germany, this original vinyl release was not widely distributed. Now available for the first time on CD, the combination of Wolfgang's originals & well chosen covers is stunning. Baker's trumpet is emotive and telepathic with Wolfgang's vibes. Two bonus tracks are added from the original recording session. Chet plays a beautiful muted trumpet on the alternate take of Why Shouldn’t You Cry. Both musicians really stretch out on Double O, a Lackerschmid original. A Four Star review from Downbeat noted, "Ballads For Two arrives as an unexpected treat, defying Baker's detractors and placing him with success in unfamiliar surroundings." Highlights are Blue Bossa & Waltz For Susan.
Originally released on vinyl in 1979, Ballads For Two finds both musicians at the top of their game. Recorded on the 8th and 9th January 1979 in Stuttgart, Germany, this original vinyl release was not widely distributed. Now available for the first time on CD, the combination of Wolfgang's originals & well chosen covers is stunning. Baker's trumpet is emotive and telepathic with Wolfgang's vibes. Two bonus tracks are added from the original recording session. Chet plays a beautiful muted trumpet on the alternate take of Why Shouldn’t You Cry. Both musicians really stretch out on Double O, a Lackerschmid original. A Four Star review from Downbeat noted, "Ballads For Two arrives as an unexpected treat, defying Baker's detractors and placing him with success in unfamiliar surroundings." Highlights are Blue Bossa & Waltz For Susan.