“The studied primitivism of Igor Stravinsky’s symphonic The Rite of
Spring is miniaturized with each player standing in for a different
orchestral section. The result is as rousing and romantic as the original
score, but with openings for distinctive solos that rhythmically extend
the composer’s ur-modernism. Originally composed for a chamber
ensemble, Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps is
implemented with as much joyous ecstasy as the composer intended,
but stripped of its overt Christian mysticism.
– Ken Waxman, The Whole Note
“Stravinsky’s music is deconstructed and personalized into a jazz
framework as the quintet transform “Ritual of Abduction” and “Ritual
of The Two Rival Tribes” into swinging outlandish affairs while evoking
a sense of both calm and cacophony to the invigorating “Spring
Rounds.” There are memorable individual performances such as
Newton’s crisp and lively percussion in “Dancing Out of The Earth”
and Fujiwara’s warm cello reverberations in “The Exalted Sacrifice.”
Hofbauer offers a glowing solo in “The Naming and Honoring of The
Chosen One” with sheer dexterity and inventiveness and Sabatini
brings sensitivity and layered contours through his trumpet-mute in
“Evocation of The Ancestors.” Numerous tempo changes, twists and
turns, and plenty of dramatics, the release is a testament to both
Stravinsky’s genius and Hofbauer’s lucid vision. The recording
concludes with as much personality and vim as it began—the
eccentrics of “Ritual Action of The Ancestors” with its swing-march
turned to groove and “Sacrificial Dance”‘s free jazz blowout. – Mark F.
Turner, All About Jazz
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“The studied primitivism of Igor Stravinsky’s symphonic The Rite of
Spring is miniaturized with each player standing in for a different
orchestral section. The result is as rousing and romantic as the original
score, but with openings for distinctive solos that rhythmically extend
the composer’s ur-modernism. Originally composed for a chamber
ensemble, Olivier Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps is
implemented with as much joyous ecstasy as the composer intended,
but stripped of its overt Christian mysticism.
– Ken Waxman, The Whole Note
“Stravinsky’s music is deconstructed and personalized into a jazz
framework as the quintet transform “Ritual of Abduction” and “Ritual
of The Two Rival Tribes” into swinging outlandish affairs while evoking
a sense of both calm and cacophony to the invigorating “Spring
Rounds.” There are memorable individual performances such as
Newton’s crisp and lively percussion in “Dancing Out of The Earth”
and Fujiwara’s warm cello reverberations in “The Exalted Sacrifice.”
Hofbauer offers a glowing solo in “The Naming and Honoring of The
Chosen One” with sheer dexterity and inventiveness and Sabatini
brings sensitivity and layered contours through his trumpet-mute in
“Evocation of The Ancestors.” Numerous tempo changes, twists and
turns, and plenty of dramatics, the release is a testament to both
Stravinsky’s genius and Hofbauer’s lucid vision. The recording
concludes with as much personality and vim as it began—the
eccentrics of “Ritual Action of The Ancestors” with its swing-march
turned to groove and “Sacrificial Dance”‘s free jazz blowout. – Mark F.
Turner, All About Jazz
“An interesting blend of old-timey music, classical, and avant-garde
clatter and squeak…both provide opportunities for the various
members of the group to take extended, introspective solos, or
dialogue with each other, as the mood dictates”
– Burning Ambulance Top 25 of 2014 (#14)
“It’s really hard to choose one volume over the other so be wise and
purchase both. This music will bring you hours of pleasure as you
listen to the care and attention Eric Hofbauer put into making “The Rite
of Spring” and “Quintet for the End of Time.” While it’s clear the
Quintet can and does play with great virtuosity, this music is also
emotionally strong and heartfelt.” – Richard Kamins, Step Tempest
Blog
“Boston-based, top tier guitarist eric hofbauer uses his quintet to
shake the cobwebs out of birthing the universe” – Ann Porotti, WTJU
91.1FM UVA Radio
“There are so many interesting cross-references at work here,
Hofbauer seems to have thought of everything. First of all, the sound
and approach of this ensemble often sounds a bit like 1920s jazz,
which would have been the era in which “Rite” could have been first
played as an experimental jazz piece. None of this is obvious or
‘museum like’ as Hofbauer also draws on many modern elements such
as free improvisation and more. The 20s sound of the ensemble and
the modern NYC eclectic influences blend seamlessly, the end result is
a piece that fits well with the music of today… Eric Hofbauer’s version
of “The Rite of Spring” never gets boring or predictable, the main
melodies of the piece come and go while they mix with all manner of
diversions and excursions. Eric is able to accent the modernist
elements of this piece, both in the context of its time period and today,
and show the connecting similarities in both decades. This rendition
really brings new life to Stravinsky’s creation, and I think Igor would
have enjoyed hearing it. The added plus is Hofbauer’s guitar playing,
which somehow can capture some of the color of Stravinsky’s original
orchestrations.”
– Jazz Music Archives.com
“Guitarist Eric Hofbauer does things his own way, in ways other people
generally don’t. But he steps further beyond the expected these days
with a two-volume offering that takes some contemporary 20th century
milestone classical compositions and arranges them for a jazz-
centered quintet….The band has their hands full realizing the motifs
and getting loose and free improvisationally, or even at times sounding
like an early jazz band and/or Duke’s Jungle period outfit, too. Much
credit goes to the arrangements/arranger, and to the sextet itself also
for their creative transformations.” – Grego Applegate Edwards,
Gapplegate Guitar and Bass Blog
“Perhaps the most adventurous attempt at a renaissance fusion of
what has been referred to as “third stream” music… Jazz and classical
have an unspoken wall of theory placed between them. Guitarist Eric
Hofbauer has just shattered the wall and raised the bar for modern
composition across the board….The Eric Hofbauer Quintet is
magnificent… To refer to Hofbauer as a modern if not impressionistic
virtuoso is not a stretch, and the quintet is first rate with the amazing
ability to perform with a sound twice their size. (These recordings) are
the personification of passion on a shiny silver disc.
– Brent Black, Critical Jazz (Bop-n-Jazz)
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