Brubeck Returns to Moscow

Other Album Covers & Images

DVD back cover

Label: Lance Entertainment 2
Year: 1997
Released on LP: No
Released on CD: No

Tracks

Notes

"Wait until you hear the Russian choir, you’ve never heard basses like that in your life." - Dave Brubeck

Performers

Dave Brubeck
Russian National Orchestra

Bobby Militello: sax
Jack Six: bass
Randy Jones: drums
Maria Maskhulia: soprano
Mark Bleeke: tenor
Kevin Deas: bass-baritone

Russian National Orchestra
Russell Gloyd Conductor
Daniel Wilson Director

Reviews

All Music Guide – Review – copyright

This program captures the Dave Brubeck Quartet's performance in Moscow with the Russian National Orchestra at the Bolshoi Hall of the Moscow Conservatory of Music. This was the first time that jazz had been performed at this most prestigious venue and Brubeck himself was considered to be an unofficial ambassador of goodwill.

The program also features Brubeck discussing his 50 year career as a jazz pianist and a jam session with Russian jazz musicians at the Spaso House. Also included is a seminar with students of the Moscow Conservatory for whom jazz was for a long time banned and therefore, felt in many ways like a musical style that represented freedom.

Cammila Albertson --© Copyright Rovi Corporation



All Music Guide – Review – copyright

This DVD is a thorough documentary of Dave Brubeck's return visit to Moscow, principally to perform his Roman Catholic mass, To Hope! A Celebration, with a Russian orchestra and choir. Joining the pianist is his regular quartet (alto saxophonist Bobby Militello, drummer Randy Jones, and bassist Jack Six) and his longtime manager, Russell Gloyd, as conductor. The vocal soloists include the outstanding bass-baritone Kevin Deas (a frequent performer of Brubeck's sacred works), tenor Mark Bleeke (who, like Deas, also appeared on the earlier recording of this mass), and Russian soprano Maria Maskhulia, who has a gorgeous voice and flawless diction. As with most of Brubeck's sacred music, some of the pieces add interludes for jazz solos, but the primary focus is on the written score.

Anyone who owns Brubeck's Telarc CD To Hope! A Celebration is already aware of the challenges of this intriguing, very moving work. Seeing it performed in concert without opportunity for retakes, especially the very difficult "Alleluia," demonstrates how hard the Russian singers and instrumentalists rehearsed to master this demanding music.

The inclusion of rehearsal footage and conversations with many of the participants is a nice touch. There's also a rare opportunity to hear Brubeck perform solo piano during a seminar, including his stirring tribute to the late Gerry Mulligan, "Goodbye Old Friend," and a hilarious bluesy improvisation based on "The Volga Boatman," which inspires a violinist in the audience to spontaneously join in the fun. The camera work is unobtrusive and creative, while the sound is excellent. The only disappointment is the unfortunate decision to overdub an audio interview with Brubeck in the middle of the concert performance of "Blue Rondo a la Turk." This powerful, very entertaining DVD is highly recommended.

© Copyright Rovi Corporation