Svend Asmussen - Amazing Strings (1975/2015) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Danish violinist Svend Asmussen, a household name in his own country and Stéphane Grappelli’s favourite violinist, has played with such greats as Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, John Lewis and Toots Thielemans. On "Amazing Strings", Asmussen performs in front of a string orchestra accompanied by a jazz rhythm section: actually, Asmussen is the string orchestra, overdubbing all the violin and cello voices. The material moves in and out of classical, traditional and jazz interpretations with Asmussen playing the seldom-heard tenor violin on several of these pieces. Most will recognize Borodin’s Danse des jeunes filles as the pop hit Stranger in Paradise, interpreted here with a lush romanticism.

Svend Asmussen is a Danish phenomenon. A household name in his own country, and Stéphane Grappelli’s favorite violinist, Asmussen has played violin with such greats as Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, John Lewis, and Toots Thielemans. Here Asmussen plays in front of a string orchestra accompanied by a jazz rhythm section. Actually, Svend is the string orchestra, overdubbing all the violin and cello voices. The pieces move in and out of classical, traditional, and jazz interpretations with Asmussen playing the seldom-heard tenor violin on several of the pieces. Men’s Living Joy and Präludium II are from J. S. Bach with the first moving into a 6/4 blues and the second exchanging rock and swing rhythms. Most will recognize A. Borodin’s danse de juenes filles as the pop hit “Stranger in Paradise”, played here with a lush romanticism. Ack Värmeland was transformed by Smetna into “The Moldau”, and Miles Davis played it as “Dear Old Stockholm”. Mozart’s Ah, Vous Dirais – Je Maman was popularized as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. It starts off in pure classical fashion before transforming into a bouncy swing. The music is infectious fun, and Asmussen is amazing.

Tracklist:

01 - Men's Living Joy
02 - Präludium 2
03 - Danse De Jeunes Filles
04 - Für Elise
05 - Ack Värmeland
06 - Prelude for Svend
07 - Golgatha
08 - Ah, Vous Dirais-Je Maman

Produced by MPS Records. Engineered by D. Grünewald, H.G. Brunner-Schwer, Rolf Donner.
Recorded in October & December 1974 at Hansa Studio, Berlin and MPS Studio, Villingen.
Digitally remastered.

Musicians:
Svend Asmussen - violin, viola, tenor violin (plays the whole overdubbed string orchestra)
Sigi Schwab - guitar
Dieter Reith - keyboards
Günter Lenz - bass
Kenny Clare - drums


Thanks to the Original customer!