This is a state-of-the-art tenor summit in memory of the late Michael Brecker, and it makes for a handsome salute to a great player with some absorbing work. The tenors are Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman and Ravi Coltrane, and they work through a programme
of originals and three John Coltrane compositions with passion and fire. Lovano's work throughout is brilliant. Liebman comes into his own on the free-ish Cosmos, Seraphic Light and Expression with some fiery playing. Coltrane also has his moments. It's powerful, and often uplifting music. AV
Bud Freeman: The Man (Nagel Heyer) £12.99Here's one of the great saxophone veterans live in Dublin in 1976, having just turned 70 but playing with joyous energy. Freeman steams through a programme of standards accompanied by local rhythm sections which plainly raised their game for the great man, who is on terrific form. Freeman must have played I Got Rhythm and Ain't Misbehavin' thousands of times, but his takes on them remain fresh.That he was still thinking up new twists on standards shows in two versions of Exactly Like You, which are radically different. A wonderful session from a much-loved figure. AV
Howard Skempton: Choral Music. (Delphian, DCD 34056) £13.99If less is more, Howard Skempton deserves to be more widely known. His elegance of line and economy of means creates a sound world whose individuality and expressive beauty is revealed to memorable effect by the Exon Singers under conductor Matthew Owens. Calm miniatures like O Saviour of the World contrast with the larger scale Lamentations. Some of the music has the cast of plainsong; all of it is carefully calculated and beautifully written, not least the ravishing He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven. A lovely recording. RC
Tchaikovsky/Glazunov, Violin Concertos. (BIS, SACD, 1432) £12.99The Ukraine-born Israeli Vadim Gluzman is a violinist in the Russian romantic tradition so it's little surprise that the Tchaikovsky and Glazunov concertos should suit his warm, extrovert style so well. He certainly argues an eloquent case for the Glazunov, challenging in structure though never in melody, and the Tchaikovsky is the beneficiary of his precise virtuosity and agreeably dark tone. His authoritative presence, however, is not always matched by the Bergen Philharmonic, conducted by Andrew Litton. All the same, a compelling release. RC
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