Page 113 - Alison Balsom Quiet City FULL BOOK
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trumpeters for 20 years, also gains new, fascinating sides from often played pieces
such as "Rhapsody In Blue" or Bernstein's "Lonely Town: Pas De Deux".
It goes without saying that some listening habits are shaken up vigorously with this
imaginative and courageous musician. This is particularly evident in the "Rhapsody", in
which a clarinet theme opening up the Gershwin composition now comes from the
trumpet - a beautiful aha effect.
The album title was provided by the introductory piece: "Even as a teenager I fell in
love with Copland's "Quiet City", says Balsom, who is married to British director Sam
Mendes ("American Bauty", "James Bond 007: Skyfall"). The inspiration for the album
dates back a few years: In 2017, the award-winning trumpeter played American
pieces from the 1920s to the 1960s with the Britten Sinfonia in London's Barbican
concert hall.
This has now become a collaboration that should inspire all fans of sounds brushed
against the grain at the interface of classical/jazz. "I knew it was a celebrated
ensemble in the classical music scene – but the musicians amazed me with their
flexibility and unbiased musicality," Balsom enthuses her "Quiet City" partners.
The album «Quiet City» by Alison Balsom with the Britten Sinfonia/Scott Stroman will
be released on Friday (26.8.) by Warner Classics.
