Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour

Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour

Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour

ASIN: B00004XR4R

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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

Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour,Dave Grusin & Lee Ritenour,Decca U.S.,Crossover Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Neo-Classical,Pop
Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Jazz Fanatics are just tooooooooo cool!
  • Admirable heartfelt rendition!
  • nearly good
  • Just an approach to classical music
  • This CD is incredible
 Two Worlds / Grusin & Ritenour
Dave Grusin & Lee Ritenour
Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00004XR4R
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

  1. Concerto In a For Four Keyboards And Strings, BWV 1065: Mvt 1
  2. Bachianas Brasileiras No.5: Aria - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/Renee Fleming
  3. Sonatina: Andante II
  4. Elegia (A Henri) - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/Gil Shaham/Ralph Morrison
  5. Suite Popular Espanola: No.3 Cancion
  6. Lagrima
  7. River Songs: The Water Is Wide/Shenandoah - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/Renee Fleming
  8. Romanian Folk Dances: Stick Dance/Sash Dance/Stamping Dance/Horn Dance/Romanian Polka/Fast Dance - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/Gil Shaham
  9. Suite Compostelana/III/Cuna
  10. Suite Popular Espanola/No.1: El Pano Moruno - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/James Walker
  11. Siciliana - Lee Ritenour/Dave Grusin/Julian Lloyd Webber
  12. Canto Invierno

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Jazz Fanatics are just tooooooooo cool!.......2005-07-07

There's nothing like the pompous opinion of a Jazz elitist that serves quite as well for being a reverse barometer for something I'll be inclined to enjoy. No wonder Jazz suffers from such little wide-spread acceptance in this country when those who claim to be fans are so quick to criticize anything that either doesn't fall under the highly interpretive definition of it or ventures into other realms. Is this a Jazz album? NO! Is this a Classical album? NO! Is this an album of well-performed classically-influenced music that is pleasing to listen to and doesn't make you feel as if you're being stabbed in the forehead with an ice pick? YES! By the way, Dave Grusin is the pianist, not Bob James!

5 out of 5 stars Admirable heartfelt rendition!.......2005-05-16


The profound sincerity of Dave Grusin is one of his most notable qualities as human being. From time he as Sting, turns around to the classic mood and decides to put a sand's grain for proving the distance in musical genres is just in the mind.
The presence of Lee Ritenour, Julian Lloyd Weber, Gil Shaham and Renee Flemming so confirms it.
The tune trowel covers a wide spectrum. From Spain Moreno Torroba the master composer of so many overwhelming works such Spain Castles for instance, Don Manuel de Falla who elevated the Apennines Mountains with his Three Cornered Hat or El Amor brujo and Federico Mompou to the great Hungarian composer Bela Bartok , from Fritz Kreisler to Johann Sebastian Bach. The transcriptions are excellent and even maintain the authentic spirit. The best piece of the CD to my mind is Bartok's transcription Rumanian Folk Dances. Grusin kept the passion and profound noblesse of the score.
We all knew about his famous album dedicated to George Gershwin's memory in 1993, sand that' s why I am not so surprised by this musical tribute to this supreme universe. As a smooth breeze, surrounded and supported by pleasant harmonies. This album could become in the true for any jazz lover to incursion in the universe of the classics
Personally I really expect Grusin from time to time, make another superb arrangements. Imagine for instance Mendelssohn's Venetian Gondola, Grieg's Holberg Suite or Brahms ` Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 5, Samuel Barber's adagio, or Bocherini's Fandango.
It's good to remind Hubert Laws has to his own, another superb arrangements in the far seventies as Starvinsky's Le sacre and the famous adaptation of Tchaikovsky `s Romeo and Juliet or Ravel's Forlane from Couperin's grave, that meant for him a Special Award in 1976.
Bravo Mr. Grusin for this artistic recording

2 out of 5 stars nearly good.......2005-04-10

This was a great idea - a very good one. It opens all of our eyes to the possibilities of chamber arrangements.

And some of the arrangements are very very cool, but I have a few issues with this CD. I have not heard any other CDs of Lee Ritenour, but know he's a Jazz guitarist right? Call me a traditionalist, but I can tell the difference straight away. You can't put a classical guitar in front of a jazz dude and expect miracles. Or in this case, anything. The tone is very bad from lee's hands, and the mix has left his guitar sound even more wanting - quiet and lifeless.

And whats with the super crisp percussion over some of the tracks? I see what these guys are trying to do, but it doesn't work for me. Great repertoire, but interpretation is a bit lacking - and dare I say - a touch uneducated.

That said, stand in performances from fleming, shaham and lloyd webber are great and dave grusin's piano playing (whilst being completely unothodox in some places) is solid and interestingly configured.

If I was the producer for this CD, I would do a lot of things differently: but in doing so I'd probably change the target market from being a Jazz/pop classical/easy listening market to a market that enjoys classy playing and interpretation of new arrangements for chamber groups.

So as a traditionalist, I'm not a fan of this CD. If you're one too, beware.

4 out of 5 stars Just an approach to classical music.......2005-04-10

The disc wasn't released for Jazz lovers. It is a collection of beautiful classical pieces played with little (sometimes without) improvisation, respecting the melodies and its harmony. I would only recommend this disc if you are a Grusin/Ritenour fan and like classical music. You will surely spend a great time listening the tracks, any time you are in the mood to listen some Bartok, de Falla or Bach.

5 out of 5 stars This CD is incredible.......2001-10-09

I have been a Ritenour fan for 5-6 years, mainly from the group Fourplay, although I do own 2-3 of his solo cd's. I also love classical so I purchased this cd as an experiment. I cannot put it down! The balance between Jazz and Classical is perfect. Neither comes through too strong but just right! I would recommend this cd to anyone, but get ready for so emotions as the perfromances by Fleming will bring tears to your eyes.
Two Worlds
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Two Worlds
    Dave Grusin , and Lee Ritenour
    Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Smooth JazzSmooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000055YI3
    Release Date: 2000-08-02

    Tracks:

    1. Concerto In A Minor For Four Keyboards And Strings
    2. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 - Aria
    3. Sonatina - Andante Ii
    4. Elegia (A Henri)
    5. Suite Popular Espanola - No. 3 Cancion
    6. Lagrima
    7. River Songs - The Water Is Wide-Shenandoah
    8. Romanian Folk Dances
    9. Suite Compostelana Iii - Cuna
    10. Suite Popular Espanola - No. 1 El Pano Moruno
    11. Siciliana
    12. Canto Invierno
    13. Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 - Preludio

    Album Details

    Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track.

    Jazz Music:

    1. Under Paris Skies
    2. Vox [Import]
    3. What Did He Say?
    4. Whisper Not (Live in Paris 1999) [Live]
    5. Winnemucca
    6. Worried Mind/I Almost Lost My Mind
    7. A Man About a Horse
    8. Above Blue
    9. Amandla
    10. B.G. & Big Tea in NYC

    Jazz Music

    Jazz Music