Iiro Rantala: Mozart, Bernstein, Lennon

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Recorded at the Gala Concert of last year’s Jazzahead! summit, this genre-crossing concert is a somewhat unconventional showcase for Rantala’s virtuosity. It does bring out his more considered... — Jazzwise, July 2018, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 25th May 2018
Catalogue No: ACT98682
Label: ACT
Length: 75 minutes

Rantala: Pekka pohjola

Work length7:23

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

Rantala: Freedom

Work length9:27

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467 'Elvira Madigan'

Work length31:20

$8.00

$10.35

$14.00

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

I. Allegro Maestoso

Track length15:25

$4.00

$5.15

$7.00

II. Andante

Track length7:08

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

III. Allegro vivace

Track length8:47

$2.00

$2.60

$3.50

Excerpt, Bernstein: Candide

Work length5:08

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

Overture

Track length5:08

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Rantala: Karma

Work length10:08

$3.00

$3.85

$5.25

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

Rantala: Tears for Esbjorn

Work length5:57

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

Lennon, J: Imagine

Work length6:35

$1.00

$1.30

$1.75

Iiro Rantala (piano)
Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic
Florian Donderer
Recorded: 28 April 2017
Recording Venue: Live recording, Jazzahead! Gala Concert, Bremen, Germany

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Long before he had heard the whole of Mozart's C Major Piano Concerto, Finnish jazz pianist Iiro Rantala had known the andante. "The second movement" he explains, "is on the soundtrack to the James bond Film' The Spy who Loved Me'.

It's the scene where they show you the underwater city - and it's my absolute favourite Bond film."

It was not until several years later the Rantala heard the whole concerto at a concert. When he did, he immediately fell in love with the piece. "The opening movement has something magical about it, it's just a fantastic melody - and the music evolves as naturally as breathing." His enthusiasm is evident: "All the themes, harmonies and rhythms of the work are composed with such perfection, it is almost preternatural."

The Pianist, who is also classically trained, had always dreamed of performing this concerto, so it was no surprise that when the opportunity came, he seized it with enthusiasm. It happened in 2017 at jazzahead! in Bremen in Germany. As a prominent representative of jazzahead!'s partner country Finland, Rantala was invited to devise the programme for the gala concert. This is the live recording of that event.

"I would really like to rip down the barriers which continue to keep jazz and classical music apart - an I am convinced that we are on the right track with a common project like this." Rantala predicts that any separation of the genres will have ceased to exist in a few decdes' time - and the other pieces on this recording follow that principle: there are, for example, solo interpretations of Bernstein's Candide Overture and Lenon's Imagine, as well as arrangements of Rantala's own compositions with orchestral accompaniment.

Reviews

July 2018

Recorded at the Gala Concert of last year’s Jazzahead! summit, this genre-crossing concert is a somewhat unconventional showcase for Rantala’s virtuosity. It does bring out his more considered and thoughtful side, resulting in some strong, melodically-inspired playing.

Iiro Rantala: Mozart, Bernstein, Lennon

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