Allegresse

Description

Maria Schneider's album 'Allegresse' is a stunning testament to her innovative jazz artistry, celebrated for its rich, emotive arrangements and intricate compositions. Praised by critics for its masterful blend of orchestral depth and personal storytelling, 'Allegresse' captures Maria Schneider's unique ability to evoke profound emotions through music. This album has been hailed as a compelling journey, showcasing her signature lush textures and adventurous spirit, making it a must-listen for both jazz aficionados and newcomers alike. ArtistShare has a unique business model, with the artists retaining their intellectual property rights and receiving a far higher percentage of all income from the label, compared to traditional label deals. Each CD comes with a unique code that includes the complete ArtistShare Project Experience, granting the purchaser access to the creative process behind the making of the recording. The ArtistShare Project Experience for 'Allegresse'includes In the career of almost every major artist, there comes a time when she turns a corner and finds herself at a new vista, a place where past efforts fall into perspective and the future is no longer an uphill climb. Many listeners will say that Allégresse (Enja), the third album from the composer-conductor Maria Schneider, marks such a step. Nothing comes closer to that goal than "Hang Gliding," the album opener, in which Schneider attempts to convey her initiation into the sport during a visit to Rio de Janeiro. I've listened to "Hang Gliding" a dozen times without growing even a little bored. Rather, I'm mesmerized by Schneider's decision to write the piece in 11/4. Effectively this becomes a half-measure of six followed by a half-measure of five. The little jolt at the end of each bar propels the piece from within. I'm hooked on how she shifts the theme's accents to sometimes interlock with and sometimes counter the beat itself. It adds a wholly accessible level of complexity that deepens the experience. And I smile at the solos by trumpeter Greg Gisbert and tenor saxist Rick Margitza - as much for the textured pastels that frame them as for the solos themselves. Indeed, one of Schneider's greatest strengths is her ability to write behind the soloists and shape their impact. The album's longest and most ambitious work is the 20-minute "Dissolution," written on commission for Pilobolus, the internationally renowned dance troupe. Schneider credits the collaboration with Pilobolus in helping her to reach that new vista around the corner. --Neil Tesser, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc. -- From Jazziz