Randy Brecker, BigBand of the Deutsche Oper Berlin / Titus Engel - Charles Mingus: Epitaph [2CD]

Format: 2 x CD
ICPN: 880242171078
Release Date: 14 Jun 2024
Genre: Jazz

"Epitaph" is a panorama of jazz history from Mingus' individual perspective, while at the same time being the sum and legacy of his artistic work.

Even a hundred years after his birth, Charles Mingus is still labelled as an artistic genius and the "angry man" of jazz, an uncompromising fighter against racial segregation and for unconditional truthfulness in his music, but who was also mentally unstable, could not control his emotions and often became violent enough in his anger. This image is confirmed by the circumstances of the world premiere of Mingus' "opus magnum", the two-hour suite "Epitaph" on 12 October 1962 in New York's Town Hall, which has long since become a myth in jazz history. 

Due to the short notice and rehearsal period, the performance itself fell short of the composer's artistic standards. As a result, Mingus asked the audience to leave the hall during the interval and offered to refund their entrance fee, which led to riots in the street outside the concert hall and ultimately forced the police to intervene. After that, Charles Mingus abandoned the attempt to realize "Epitaph" and it was not until the mid-1980s, after the musicologist Andrew Homzy discovered the music notes of the piece in Mingus' estate and, together with Gunther Schuller
reconstructed it, that this masterpiece was premièred in 1989.

At the finale of the "Musikfest Berlin" 2022, the musicians of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and their BigBand performed “Epitaph” as a tribute to the 100th birthday of Charles Mingus.

Under the energetic baton of Titus Engel, the musicians of the BigBand and the Orchestra of the
Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Jazzinstitut Berlin explore the realms of expression of dark
threat, profound songfulness, conflict and ecstasy with irrepressible joy of playing and
remarkable clarity.
Star trumpeter Randy Brecker lets his wonderfully clear tone clear tone soar to the highest heights.
It becomes touching when Jorge Puerta sings "Freedom" with a powerful voice and the musicians humming along.

The BigBand of the Deutsche Oper Berlin
A charity concert in 2005 with twelve brass players and a percussionist from the Deutsche Oper orchestra is considered to be the actual birth of the Big Band. Initially, baritone saxophonist Rolf von Nordenskjöld led the band. Today, jazz trombonist, composer and arranger Manfred Honetschläger provides the right sound. Stars such as Katharine Mehrling, Madeline Bell, Lyambiko, Jocelyn B. Smith, Pe Werner, Bill Ramsey, Georgie Fame, Jiggs Whigham, Jeff Cascaro and Richard Galliano have already been guests.

Titus Engel
Titus Engel was named Conductor of the Year in 2020 by the magazine "Opernwelt". Thanks to his comprehensive view of repertoire from a wide range of eras, he always understands works in their diverse interrelationships. Appreciated for his expertise in the field of historical performance practice as well as for his precise conducting of complex contemporary projects, the Berlin-born Zurich native is also regularly invited to conduct central works of opera literature.

Randy Brecker
Jazz trumpeter and composer Randy Brecker has been shaping the sound of jazz, R&B and rock for more than four decades. His trumpet and flugelhorn performances have graced hundreds of albums by a wide range of artists, from James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and Arliament/Funkadelic to Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa. 

TRACKLIST

Charles Mingus: "Epitaph" (1962/1989)

CD 1
1. Main Score - Part 1  (05:30)
2. Percussion discussion (08:54)
3. Main score - part 2 (05:08)
4. Started Melody (13:07)
5. Better get hit in your soul (11:35)
6. The Soul (02:48)
7. Moods in Mambo (04:27)
8. Self Portrait / Chill of Death (11:30)
9. O.P. (Oscar Pettiford) (03:47)
10. Pinky / Please Don't Come Back from the Moon   (08:50)
11. Monk, Bunk, and Vice Versa (Osmotin') (03:48)

CD 2
1. Peggy's Blue Skylight (04:37)
2. Wolverine Blues (05:50)
3. Children's Hour of Dream (09:01)
4. This Subdues My Passion (03:13)
5. Untitled Ballad - In Other Words, I am Three (10:34)
6. Freedom (09:32)
7. Untitled Interlude - The Underdog Rising (05:02)
8. Noon Night (04:04)
9. Main Score Reprise (05:01)

Digital
1. Main Score - Part 1
2. percussion discussion
3. main score - part 2
4. Started Melody
5. better get hit in your soul
6. The Soul
7. Moods in Mambo
8. Self Portrait / Chill of Death
9. O.P. (Oscar Pettiford)
10. Pinky / Please Don't Come Back from the Moon
11. Monk, Bunk, and Vice Versa (Osmotin')
12. Peggy's Blue Skylight
13. Wolverine Blues
14. Children's Hour of Dream
15. This Subdues My Passion
16. Untitled Ballad - In Other Words, I am Three
17. Freedom
18. Untitled Interlude - The Underdog Rising
19. Noon Night
20. Main Score Reprise
Special Guest: Randy Brecker (trumpet), Jorge Puerta (tenor)

Musical Director: Titus Engel
BigBand of The Deutsche Oper Berlin
Musicians of the orchestra of The Deutsche Oper Berlin
Musicians of the JIB - Jazz-Institut Berlin

Recorded live 19 September 2022, Philharmonie Berlin