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CLASSICAL JAZZ BALLADS
Sergei Gurbeloshvili (tsax), Nikolai Levinovsky (pno), and Tamaz Kurashvili (bass) with the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre of Leningrad Chamber Orchestra, conductor Vakhtang Machavariani.
Melodia C60 29399 009, 1990.
LP rip (320 kbps) by Dick Baker, February 2015
[A personal note: I met bassist Tamaz Kurashvili when I accompanied the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble to Tbilisi in 1978, and met with him on return trips 1984 and 1990, but have since lost contact, which I would love to reestablish. Can anybody on Usenet in Georgia help? --DB]
Side 1
My Funny Valentine (R. Rodgers) - 10.14
Yesterdays (J. Kern) - 8.05
Side 2
My One and Only Love (J. Wood) - 7.58
Lush Life (B. Strayhorn) - 6.25
Arrangements by Nikolai Levinovsky
Sergei Gurbeloshvili, saxophone
Nikolai Levinovsky, piano
Tamaz Kurashvili, bass
The Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre of Leningrad Chamber Orchestra Conductor Vakhtang Machavariani
Recording engineer G. Tses
Editor N. Chelidze
Cover design by A. Grigoriev
Sharply chiseled themes from vocal and jazz classics, elegant yet simple arrangements, pleasant rhythms--all these are the features of light music which cannot fail to appeal to these who understand serious art--be it jazz, classical music or modern avant-garde.
Somebody once said about Duke Ellington's music that it is difficult to draw a sharp borderline between its theme and arrangement. The same is true of compositions on jazz ballades themes, presented by Nikolai Levinovsky. It might be added that Sergei Gurbeloshvili's solo and the witty exchange of cues between bassist Tamaz Kurashvili and the hand, it is impossible to separate arrangement from improvisation--so keenly feel the soloists both the character of each piece and the disc's general mood.
All the four improvisations are built according to the same principle: at first the theme is stated by tenor saxophone, then follows Gurbeloshvili's improvisation, then an orchestral interlude where the arranger's creative fantasy finds its fullest expression; the solo piano--one more interlude (or a dialogue of the double bass and orchestra) is followed by a reprise--the return of the beautiful song melody. Simple but with immaculate taste and high professionalism which is so often lacking in contemporary light music.
Tbilisi Recording Studio, rec. 1988
1990, Order No. 57, 7000 copies
Art. 11-1. Price 2 rubles 50 kopecks.
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