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Baker: Singer of Songs - Fischer-Dieskau

Baker: Singer of Songs - Fischer-Dieskau

MDG Scene  903 1841-6

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Crossover


David Baker: Singer of Songs/Weaver of Dreams for Cello & Percussion; Sonata for Cello & Piano; Suite for Cello & Jazz Trio

Manuel Fischer-Dieskau, cello
Guy Frisch, percussion
Connie Shih, piano
Monika Herzig, jazz piano; Pavel Klimashevsky, bass; Dieter Schumacher, drums


Cello Genius
Others attempt to improve masterpieces of the past by adapting them to the times or bringing them up to date, in many cases lapsing into the realm of the ridiculous. Just the opposite is the case with Dave Baker. This famous jazz trombonist and composer mixes styles, genres, and instrumentations to produce pure joy. Always entertaining and witty, of great seriousness, and full of surprising ideas, his music also meets the highest standards. Manuel Fischer-Dieskau has now discovered works for us that Baker dedicated to the great cello genius Janos Starker, who recently passed away – an extraordinary tribute to a genuinely great musician.

Color Guard
Baker has described his compositional style as “eclectic but absolutely romantic.” In “Singers of Songs” he produced delightful portraits of prominent fellow musicians such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. Ellington’s opulent orchestration style is reflected in Baker’s multicolored treatment of the percussion instruments, and his crazy bebop sounds in “Dizzy” generate finale fireworks offering the percussionist Guy Frisch plenty of room for a dazzling solo. It is fascinating how many colors the cello can marshall, from the walking bass, through blues patterns, to an extended cantilena – everything is possible.

Audience Enthusiasm
Janos Starker, who closely followed the compositional process, had a hand in all of this. He always saw to it that his instrument presented itself from all its best sides. The technical demands are absolutely incredible, especially in the third movement of the “Sonata.” The boogie-woogie insert is a listening must: here at the very latest audiences regularly erupt into thunderous applause.

Authentic Endorsement
Manuel Fischer-Dieskau studied with Janos Starker and today is an internationally acclaimed soloist. For this first recording of Baker’s cello music, he and his fellow musicians have once again closely collaborated with the composer. And Baker is enthusiastic, even though or precisely because the musicians allow themselves more jazzy improvisational liberties than were actually intended: “It’s great to hear my music played with such a high degree of authenticity!“ Who might contradict the master’s voice?

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