Imaginary Line [CD]

Julian Joseph and Marcelo Bratke - Imaginary Line [CD]

This album presents four jazz composers (the classics of jazz) and four 20th Century classical composers (whose music contains a strong element of jazz) in a new and contemporary dialogue. From Thelonius Monk to Igor Stravinsky, pianists Julian Joseph and Marcelo Bratke initiate a series of imaginative exchanges be-tween the pre-established structures of classical music and the improvisation of jazz. The "imaginary line" is the line that divides these two apparently antagonistic worlds, but which in this case becomes a line of communication, bringing the worlds of jazz and classical closer together and allowing the listener to see the music as a unit. Marcelo has very bravely taken on the challenge of jazz with its many unique requirements and has put his trust in me to direct his vast training and considerable musical talent to create the feeling of Jazz. Julian performs for the Classical side of this project which was born out of a mutual admiration between the two musicians and early discussions about doing a Gershwin recording. The principles of Imaginary Line finding parallels between composers from each idiom and unifying them in a statement about 20th Century music and its commonality by revealing the expansive quality of the two musicians' musical choices and how that limitless influence spreads beyond neat categorization. Compositions by George Gershwin, Darius Milhaud, Frances Poulenc, Igor Stavinsky, Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, and Duke Ellington. George Gershwin - Three Preludes for Two Pianos: 01. Prelude 1 02. Prelude 2 03. Prelude 3 Darius Milhaud - Scaramouche for Two Pianos: 04. Vif 05. Modere 06. Braziliare Frances Poulenc - Sonata for Two Pianos: 07. Prelude 08. Rustique 09. Finale Igor Stavinsky - 5 Pieces for Two Pianos: 10. Andante 11. Espanola 12. Balalaika 13. Napolitana 14. Galop 15. Thelonius Monk - Off Minor 16. Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby 17. Chick Corea - Armando's Rhumba 18. Duke Ellington - Single Petal of a Rose