Uri Caine's "Dark Flame" is a captivating exploration of classical and jazz fusion, released on October 1, 2014, under the Winter and Winter label. This album is a unique blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together free jazz, jazz, and Philly soul, resulting in a rich and diverse musical experience that spans a full 77 minutes.
Caine, known for his innovative arrangements, reimagines classical works by Gustav Mahler, including pieces from "Kindertotenlieder," "Ruckert-Lieder," "Des Knaben Wunderhorn," "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen," and "Das Lied von der Erde." His arrangements for chamber ensembles, vocal ensembles, and traditional Chinese instruments like the yangqin, pipa, and erhu create a fascinating fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions.
The album opens with "Kindertotenlieder: No. 2," a hauntingly beautiful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Throughout "Dark Flame," Caine's arrangements showcase his deep understanding of both classical and jazz idioms, resulting in a sound that is both familiar and fresh. The inclusion of Philly soul elements adds a layer of warmth and groove, making the album accessible and engaging.
"Dark Flame" is not just a collection of songs but a testament to Uri Caine's artistic vision and his ability to bridge different musical worlds. Whether you're a fan of classical music, jazz, or soul, this album offers something unique and compelling.
2014 Winter and Winter2014 Winter and Winter
Tracks
Kindertotenlieder: No. 2, Nun seh' ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Uri Caine
Ruckert-Lieder: No. 5, Liebst du um Schonheit (Arr. for Voice & Vocal Ensemble)Kettwiger Bach Ensemble, Wolfgang Kläsener, Barbara Walker
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 10, Lob des hohen Verstandes (Arr. for Voice & Chamber Ensemble)Don Byron, Jim Black, Mark Feldman, DJ Olive, Michael Formanek, Sepp Bierbichler, Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 4, Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz (Arr. U. Caine)Uri Caine
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 9, Wo Die Schonen Trompeten Blasen (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Mark Feldman, Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine, DJ Olive, Don Byron, Michael Formanek, Jim Black
Das Lied von der Erde: No. 2, Der Einsame im Herbst (Arr. for Voice and Yangqin)Sisi Chen, Tong Qiang Chen
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 8, Lied des Verfolgten im Turm (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Don Byron, Jim Black, David Gilmore, Julie Patton, Mark Feldman, Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine, DJ Olive, Sepp Bierbichler
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 1, Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht (Arr. U. Caine)Don Byron, Michael Formanek, Aaron Bensoussan, Jim Black, Mark Feldman, Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine, DJ Olive
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 2, Verlorne Muh (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Mark Feldman, Don Byron, Uri Caine, Sadiq Bey, Michael Formanek, Jim Black, Ralph Alessi
Das Lied von der Erde: No. 3, Von der Jugend (Arr. for Yangqin, Pipa & Erhu)Sisi Chen, Bao-Li Zhang, Yi Zhou
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 7, Rhinelegend (Arr. for Voice & Chamber Ensemble)Uri Caine
Kindertotenlieder: No. 3, Wenn dein Mutterlein, tritt zur Tur herein (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Uri Caine
Des Knaben Wunderhorn: No. 6, Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Mark Feldman, Don Byron, Jim Black, Michael Formanek, Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine
Ruckert-Lieder: No. 5, Liebst du um Schonheit (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble)Ralph Alessi, Uri Caine, Don Byron, Michael Formanek, Mark Feldman
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