American Jazz Philharmonic Symphonic Dances Claus Ogerman

Though he has big credits in jazz and respect amongst aficionados this substantial 23 minute work of discretely subdued textures taps Ogerman's classical inclinations..One of German arranger composer Ogerman's finest scores, , a wealth of elegantly flowing introspective .melody. Ogerman's three movement symphonic suite joins his Symbiosis for Bill Evans (pianist) among his poetic compositions. Symphonic Dances is sufficiently amenable in style not to require further elaboration.as Ogerman's filmy string textures mark out a rich musicscape. The music doesn't belong to any 'ism' or 'school' but fits seamlessly into today's polystylistic music . Ogerman was active in America in the early 1960's with somewhat stolid arrangements for organist Jimmy Smith. He also worked with pop singer Lesley Gore something that seems to have influenced his album of film themes for pianist Bill Evans. Ogerman's 1963 Vips theme is decidedly pop in ambience. It''s notable how he shoehorns Miklos Rozsa music from the film VIPs into a straight ahead pop arrangement. Alongside Oscar Petersons memorable solo on Wave his strings on Jobim's classic is celebrated. I have a vinyl of Ogerman with Ex Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman in arrangements of classical pieces~ a 1978 album ~ including famously a movement from ~ Rodrigo Guitar Concerto ~ Ogerman weaves delicate string tracery on Ravel's Pavane. IA recent listen confirmed the effect as ravishing as ever .~ a reason for special gratitude to the German composer arranger. Indeed Ogerman's diaphanous strings are rightly acclaimed . In the 1970s courtesy of Dutch group Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman was a guitar virtuoso burning along the hard rock trail . Ogerman backdrops Akkerman's inflected guitar work with lyrical strings.I found out much later mentioned elsewhere that Ogerman arranged the trombones guitar hit More for the late Kai WInding ~ It was from the film Mondo Cane recorded May 1963. So popular was Ogerman's More ~ for Winding the arrangement almost became the standard for other versions. the Winding version is on U Tube ~ I still like it.. 2015 july i have been otherwise occupied so a chance here to mention Ogerman's well nigh exquisite strings tracery for Jazz singer Diana Krall dating from early 2000s . Tracks include Night we called it a Day which Sinatra had a go at twice 1940s and 1950s. But the take with Ogerman is special worthy of mention alongside Sinatra. exemplifying Ogermans and Krall's mastery of mood evocation