Bach in Havana

$9.99

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) has served as inspiration for musical re-interpretation for well over a century. In the purely classical realm, adaptations by Charles Gounod (his famous Ave Maria), Leopold Stokowski (Toccata and Fugue in D-), and Ferrucio Busoni (Chaconne in D-), among others, are well known and have even entered into the standard repertoire themselves. Outside of classical music, jazz musicians especially have turned to Bach's supreme melodic and harmonic gifts as a point of departure for their own improvisatory skills and inventiveness. In particular, Bach's frequent use of steady 16^th-note figuration, wrapped in exquisite harmonic progressions, has provided jazz musicians with ample source material. Among outstanding examples of jazz interpretations of Bach's music include those by the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Swingle Singers, and pianist Jacques Loussier.

Now, Sony Classical has released an intriguing approach to Bach's music, utilizing the sizzling world of Latin Jazz. The two-time Grammy™– nominated Cuban music group TIEMPO LIBRE, based in Miami, has released Bach in Havana – a dual odyssey through the music of J.S. Bach and the variety of Latin Jazz styles. The full range of Bach's music is employed, including many beloved favorites (such as the "Air on a G String" from the Orchestral Suite No.3; the Prelude in C from the Well-tempered Clavier, Book 1; and the Prelude from the Cello Suite No.1 in G). Each of the eleven Bach arrangements is then presented in tandem with a distinct style of Cuban-derived jazz, including Son, Cha-cha-chá, Bolero, Batá, and many others. At times Bach's music is foreground material and the primary source of the interpretation (as in the Bolero version of "Air on a G String", featuring the brilliant alto saxophonist Paquito d'Rivera); at other times, Bach's music provides more of a background theme or motive to an original Latin Jazz piece (as in "Timbach", which incorporates fragments of Bach's Prelude in D from the WTC, Book 1). In each case, however, the interpretation is creative and successfully honors the two realms – Bach and Latin Jazz – that join forces.

The Classical Archives is pleased to feature this album with a unique twist – placing each track by Tiempo Libre next to a recording of Bach's original source composition, performed by an outstanding artist from our impressive roster. We've also provided the original liner notes from Tiempo Libre's music director, arranger, and pianist, Jorge Gómez, to better understand the thinking behind the arrangements – simply click the "Liner Notes" button next to the work.  Finally, we proudly provide a variety of ways to listen to the selections presented here – as individual tracks and as a combined "concert" of both Tiempo Libre and the original Bach compositions.

Nolan Gasser, PhD
Artistic Director, Classical Archives