VIENNA ART ORCHESTRA The Minimalism Of Erik Satie 2LP NM/EX 1984 hat ART

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40

The Minimalism of Erik Satie Review by Brian Olewnick  [-]

Mathias Rüegg's Vienna Art Orchestra had always been an eclectic bunch, working in the odd jazz or classical cover into its repertoire with some regularity, but for this release, the ensemble went whole hog, leaping into the oeuvre of that grandfather of minimalism, Erik Satie. Originally issued as a two-LP set, every track (save one evocative Gil Evans-y piece by Rüegg) is a Satie composition rearranged, often brilliantly, and generally highlighting two or three individual VAO members. This reductionist technique serves the band well, as it has often had a tendency toward weighty ponderousness. Here, the arrangements are light and linear, affording a supple but transparent platform for the soloists, who are clearly encouraged to venture out into jazzy territory. Vocalist Lauren Newton and percussionist Woody Schabata are often in the spotlight here, the former's wordless ululations adapting themselves quite well to Satie's whimsical music and the latter's vibraphone providing an enticing mixture of rigor and dreaminess. Others, like the Gymnopedie No. 3, are presented for solo instrumentalist, here a lovely rendition by trombonist Christian Radovan. The final three tracks, the entirety of the second disc on the original issue, are given over to renditions of Satie's notorious Vexations, wherein the pianist was instructed to play the piece 840 times at a "very slow pace." Here, they're set for duets, Schabata in each case on vibes, accompanied by tenor sax (Roman Schwaller), voice (Newton), and bass clarinet (Wolfgang Puschnig). It's a daring and very successful gambit, as the piece is allowed to be gradually examined like a lustrous gem by several creative pairs of ears. The Minimalism of Erik Satie is a rare example of the pairing of jazz and classical that actually works on both ends. Recommended.

Vienna Art Orchestra – The Minimalism Of Erik Satie

Label:Hat Hut Records – hat ART 2005

Format:

2 x Vinyl, LP, Album

Box Set

Country:Switzerland

Released:1984

Genre:Jazz

Style:Contemporary Jazz

Reflections On Aubade(2:55)

A1aAubade

Written-By – Erik Satie

0:50

A1bReflections On Aubade

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Voice – Lauren Newton

Flute – Wolfgang Puschnig

2:05

Reflections On Méditation(3:30)

A2aMéditation

Written-By – Erik Satie

1:00

A2bReflections On Méditation

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Voice – Lauren Newton

Trumpet – Karl >Bumi< Fian*

2:30

Reflections On Sévère Réprimande(2:55)

A3aSévère Réprimande

Written-By – Erik Satie

1:25

A3bReflections On Sévère Réprimande

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Soprano Saxophone – Harry Sokal

1:30

Reflections On Idylle(4:00)

A4aIdylle

Written-By – Erik Satie

1:10

A4bReflections On Idylle

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Vibraphone [Vibes] – Woody Schabata

2:50

A5Gymnopédie No 3

Trombone – Christian Radovan

Written-By – Erik Satie

2:15

B1Gnossienne No. 3

Written-By – Erik Satie

3:00

Reflections On Gnossienne No. 2(4:25)

B2aGnossienne No. 2

Written-By – Erik Satie

1:50

B2bReflections On Gnossienne No. 2

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Tenor Saxophone – Roman Schwaller

2:35

Reflections On Gnossienne No. 1(5:40)

B3aGnossienne No. 1

Written-By – Erik Satie

3:30

B3bReflections On Gnossienne No. 1

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

Soprano Saxophone – Wolfgang Puschnig

Goblet Drum [Tarabuka] – Wolfgang Reisinger

2:10

B4Satie Ist Mir Im Traum 3x Nicht Erschienen

Soprano Saxophone – Harry Sokal

Tambura – Ima (17)

Written-By – Mathias Rüegg

6:20

Vexations 1801(8:45)

C1aVexations

Written-By – Erik Satie

2:00

C1bVexations 1801

Written-By – Roman Schwaller

Tenor Saxophone – Roman Schwaller

Vibraphone [Vibes] – Woody Schabata

6:45

Vexations 1611(9:35)

C2aVexations

Written By – Erik Satie

2:00

C2bVexations 1611

Written-By – Lauren Newton

Vibraphone [Vibes] – Woody Schabata

Voice – Lauren Newton

7:35

Vexations 2105(23:15)

DaVexations

Written-By – Erik Satie

4:00

DbVexations 2105

Written-By – Wolfgang Puschnig

Bass Clarinet – Wolfgang Puschnig

Vibraphone [Vibes] – Woody Schabata

19:15

Recorded At – Studio Kornhäusl, Wien

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Hat Hut Records Ltd.

Copyright © – Hat Hut Records Ltd.

Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone – Wolfgang Puschnig

Gong, Kalimba, Goblet Drum [Tarabuka], Triangle – Wolfgang Reisinger

Leader, Conductor, Arranged By – Mathias Rüegg

Liner Notes – HK Gruber

Recorded By – Michael Kornhäusl

Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Harry Sokal

Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Roman Schwaller

Trombone – Christian Radovan

Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Hannes Kottek, Karl >Bumi< Fian*

Tuba – John Sass*

Vibraphone [Vibes] – Woody Schabata

Voice – Lauren Newton

Recorded September 83 & March 84 in Vienna

GOLDMINE GRADING

MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect.

NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly.

VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors.

VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc.

GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork.

POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above &quot;Good&quot; grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.