The fact that it comes so (relatively) early in jazz history makes all the difference. Nevertheless, the “City of Glass” suite is one of the most overt avant-garde recordings in jazz history. The ideas behind the music are far more rewarding than the sounds produced, which is never a good sign-academia gone wrong. However, the polyphonic atonality and jarring chromaticism is often difficult to parse. Considering the time (early 1950s…) and place (…in Hollywood, CA…) and context (…when modernist jazz was still in its infantile stages), this music is decades ahead of its time. That’s not to say City of Glass isn’t good and/or groundbreaking. ![]() If it wasn’t for the horns and occasional drums, this would fit right in with Second Viennese School dogma. City of Glass-a classical suite in four movements-is harsh and dissonant, with only traces of bop and/or swing. Kenton’s 1950 LP, Innovations in Modern Music, was a bit more fun, you could say. This is far from jazz, and even further from big band. With dashes of Charles Ives and, gasp, Elliot Carter thrown in for good measure. ![]() ![]() This is big band Alban Berg, nothing more and nothing less.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |