Franz Koglmann Make Believe - BTL10171 - Jazz - par Between The Lines

Owing to his consistent and very personal variant of the "Third Stream², the fusion of classical music and jazz, Franz Koglmann, the trumpeter and flugelhorn-player from Vienna, has become one of the most significant contemporary composers. Make Believe features a high-carat quintet presenting five "instrumental scenes², and, under the title of Make Believe, a medley from Jerome Kern¹s musical Show Boat modelled on Paul Whiteman¹s recording with cornet-player Bix Beiderbecke. Make Believe made such a "bewitching impression² on Cocteau while he wrote the novel that he recommended one should listen to it while reading the book. Anyone listening to Koglmann¹s version of "Make Believe" and comparing it to that of Whiteman might get an inkling of the relationship between Koglmann¹s own compositions and Cocteau¹s text. The "extraneous² material provides the initial spark for a re-exploration of his own realm of composing. Even though the above statement might sound pretentious, the resulting music certainly does not. It is a rare treat today to hear an ensemble play in such densely-knit closeness and yet stay so relaxed in the process. Koglmann¹s composition leaves room for each of the musicians to unfold their personal skills and qualities, of which they have an ample supply. Even though the individual players have a definite impact on the music of Make Believe, the CD hinges on the decade-long co-operation between Koglmann and Coe. The affinity between their respective instrumental timbres, mellow and dark, gives Koglmann¹s compositions a particular personal depth. Anyone already familiar with Koglmann will be pleased to hear this recording of his latest work. For anyone hitherto hesitant to take up the challenge of Koglmann¹s music, Make Believe offers an ideal easy-listening initiation.