ON BEAUTY
John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir
Bach: Cantatas, Vol 28
(SDG, $18.99)
John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir’s live Bach Cantata
Pilgrimage recording project in 2000 were left incomplete: the cantatas
for Ascension Day were unrecorded due to noise issues. Last May, at St.
Giles’ Cripplegate in London, the Choir and the English Baroque
Soloists recorded the Ascension Day cantatas. If you haven’t heard this
grand project, start now.
John Zorn
The Mysteries
(Tzadik, $15.98)
Gnostic Preludes
(Tzadik, $15.98)
Composer and saxophonist John Zorn’s many projects are wildly varied, but one of them focuses on sheer beauty and melody. The Mysteries is
the second album of Zorn compositions played by an unusual trio of
Bill Frisell on electric guitar, Carol Emanuel on harp, and Kenny
Wollesen on vibraphone and orchestral chimes. The shimmering sounds and
lyrical melodies are gorgeous. Listen to first release from the trio,
2012’s Gnostic Preludes.
Craig Taborn Trio
Chants
(ECM, $18.98)
Pianist Craig Taborn has spent many years playing in other people’s groups. But he released a fine solo album, Avenging Angel,
in 2011, and now his long-standing trio with Thomas Morgan, bass, and
Gerald Cleaver, drums, makes its recording debut. Taborn can start with
the barest rhythmic or melodic elements and build an epic musical
tale, touching on many eras of jazz. This is an inventive and
adventurous trio album.
NOTE: The Craig Taborn Trio will be playing at Bohemian Caverns this Sunday, May 5.
