When Richard Wagner composed the opera "Valquíria" not thought she would win the versions over the years. The fact is the latest film by Tom Cruise in version of the americans writers on the thought of Germans in front of atituds of Adolf Hitler during the Second World War.
"Kill the Rabbit" Elmer said the cartoon "What's Opera, Doc" of 1957.
The LP Stan Kenton/Wagner is another exemple of the Valkyries. There are bits that hold up. Certainly Kenton's powerful brass section, with people like the Candoli brothers and Bud Bribois screaming into the stratosphere, is every bit as over-the-top as the Goterdammerung spirit of the original. And while our freund Richard wouldn't have considered integrating a clave rhythm into his music, there have been worse combinations. But when the melody passes from the brass to an anemic sax/flute section, it sounds as die Valkyrie suddenly go from riding the heavens to hitch-hiking along a county road.
Still, I give Kenton credit for trying. Not every experiment succeeds. So Kenton/Wagner is something of a failure. The act of experimentation inherently propels our culture forward every bit as much as it does in science. Had someone picked up up Kenton's torch and carried it on, continuing to take risks and try out ideas good and bad, who knows what amazing sounds might be coming out of big bands now.
STAN KENTON / WAGNER - RIDE OF THE WALKYRIES
2 comments:
That was great! Thanks very much.
I wouldn't mind hearing the entire LP...
Unfortunately I only have that track. LP very rare. Continue reading the daily blog. Always something new!
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