Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour

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Melding jazz and classical music has been attempted with varying degrees of success by luminaries from George Gershwin to Miles Davis to The MJQ; even Grover Washington took a shot at it shortly before his passing. It is hard to discern much jazz in Grusin and Ritenour's venture, unless it is to bring out the implied swing in Bach's Concerto in A Minor for Four Keyboards and Strings, or a propensity for "smooth jazz" romanticism in some melodies and lush string arrangements. They do offer a varied program including some impassioned Bartók (featuring violinist Gil Shaham) and some sprightly Spanish dances courtesy of composer Manuel de Falla The high point, though, is soprano Renee Fleming's performance of "Cantilena" from Villa Lobos's "Bachianas Brasilieras," which proves as ethereal and haunting as its subject matter--the moon. Fleming also reveals a surprising soulfullness and unexpected feel for jazz phrasing in her performances of "The Water Is Wide" and "Shenandoah." In the end, it is she who truly brings the two worlds together. --Michael Ross, ISBN13: B00004XR4R ISBN10: B00004XR4R Material Type: audioCD