Jan Lundgren with Orchestra - Something To Live For (1998)

"Reminiscences of a Duke," the highlight of this tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, is a triumph for Lundgren and the 63-year-old Swedish composer Magnus Linden. Throughout the album, Lundgren plays with his usual clarity of touch and conception. Meeting considerable challenges offered by Linden in the composer's 15-minute suite, he surpasses himself Building on hints at themes abstracted from Ellington tunes, Linden uses strings, woodwinds and French horn for settings that require the pianist's formidable technical command and stimulate his inventiveness. Linden manages to evoke Ellington's music, provide ideal settings for Lundgren and demonstrate virtuosity in orchestration. Some of his writing is reminiscent of Charles Ives (in the movement titled "Mood") and Eddie Sauter ("Pace"), but it has a pungent modernity all it's own. His work is all the more impressive because Linden accomplishes impressive depth and texture using only 12 pieces, demonstrating a masterful command of resources. Lundgren plays the fastest and most demanding passages ("Speed") without sacrificing a bit of the emotion that the music demands. Yet, he performs with the precision of a classical pianist playing a concerto, which this music resembles in some respects. Tracking Lundgren's growth from one recording to the next over the past five years or so has been one of the rewarding listening experiences of the 1990s. If this album is an indication, his increasing individuality and expressiveness as a soloist will lead to important work in the new century. ~ Amazon Editorial. 

Sittel Records, SITCD9258, 1999
Recorded 6th-8th October, 1998 in Stockholm, Sweden 

Musicians:
Jan Lundgren - Piano
Mattias Hjort - Bass
Rasmus Kihlberg - Drums
with String Orchestra

Tracks:
01. Something To Live For {Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn} (5:36)
02. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (4:44)
03. Raincheck {Billy Strayhorn} (3:33)
04. Isfahan {Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn} (4:16)
05. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington} (5:34)
06. Azure {Duke Ellington} (3:16)
07. Caravan {Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington} (3:57)
08. Blood Count {Billy Strayhorn} (6:03)
Reminiscences Of A Duke {Magnus Linden}
09. I. Pace (5:03)
10. II. Mood (5:58)
11. III. Speed (5:18)
12. Looking Glass {Duke Ellington} (3:40) 

Total Time: 57:03 

This recording is dedicated to the memory of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. 

Caravan