Jeffrey Agrell

Review of “Mosaic” by Duende (Jeffrey Agrell, horn, Gil Selinger, cello, and Evan Mazunik, piano): ”Modern arrangements of early music are nothing new, but this fresh new collection of improvisatory interpretations puts a different face on the practice. Especially unusual is such an approach within the standard classical performance arena; the work of Duende reminded me more of some of the similar efforts on the ECM jazz label. There was also a recent classical guitar CD of similar import.

Some of these composers - such as Hildegarde von Bingen - go back as far as the 12th century. Instead of researching the musicological details of the music and its accurate performance according to the norms of the period, Duende takes the melodies and wails on them much as a jazz pianist would do with a tune from the Great American Songbook

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Review of “Mosaic” by Duende (Jeffrey Agrell, horn, Gil Selinger, cello, and Evan Mazunik, piano): ”Modern arrangements of early music are nothing new, but this fresh new collection of improvisatory interpretations puts a different face on the practice. Especially unusual is such an approach within the standard classical performance arena; the work of Duende reminded me more of some of the similar efforts on the ECM jazz label. There was also a recent classical guitar CD of similar import.

Some of these composers - such as Hildegarde von Bingen - go back as far as the 12th century. Instead of researching the musicological details of the music and its accurate performance according to the norms of the period, Duende takes the melodies and wails on them much as a jazz pianist would do with a tune from the Great American Songbook. The three skilled musicians of Duende are discovering the future thru the past. They are bringing back the element of improvisation which was a central part of classical performance up until the Romantic era. Their idea is that if they can create music on the spot, so to speak, why not create completely fresh interpretations of existing old music?

The idea behind using Mosaic for the CD title is perfect. I’m a fan of mosaics, and they mostly have some rough edges but come together in a glorious work of art. The same could be said of these 13 short improvisations. Some are of dance music, such as a saltarello, and really swing in some spots. The lengthiest is a very imaginative 8 1/2 minute improvisation on the popular medieval theme The Armed Man (which Karl Jenkins used for his famous recent Mass). The two Sephardic tunes add a sparkle and oriental twist to the program and are among those making use of some additional percussion sounds. The transparent-quality sound was recorded at the University of Iowa School of Music, my old alma mater. “ Audiophile Audition (John Sunier)

“Approaching improvised music from a decidedly classical vantage point, Jeffrey Agrell (horn) and Evan Mazunik (piano) seamlessly weave together semi- notated passages and stretches of improvisation into pieces that fuse the musicians' grasp on chord scales and species counterpoint. The album's title track, Repercussions, displays the elision between genres, keeping things on the buoyant side and displaying an almost Copland-like flair, occasionally digressing into more experimental territory. Put this one smack in the middle of the “adult contemporary” wallpaper that fills cubicals in office buildings everywhere and the outer limits of Tzadik's catalog.” NewMusicBox, online web magazine of the American Music Center

[“Repercussions”] is by another off-center duo, this one consisting of French horn and piano. In the liner notes Jeffrey Agrell states that it was his intention to improvise on his horn in a way that was free of Jazz or classical conventions. The music that emerges is still more classical than anything but with a tendency toward exploration and freedom. Agrell gets a pure, yearning sound on “Repercussions” and Evan Mazunik’s piano accompaniment is thesort of dread- filled rumbling that brings Ran Blake to mind. “Diminished Intelligence” has a sense ofSwing and is reminiscent of the old Third Stream classical-jazz style with Agrell showing the nimbleness of clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre. “Only in Winter” and “Oddio” are comtemplative ballads with the latter ending in a brisk piano- horn chase. “Dangerous Divertimento” is a long suite that nods to Stravinsky and encompasses introspection, drama, harsh climaxes, and a touch of Blues. This CD is not casual listening. It’s a challenging work that shows one way the Third Stream movement might have gone if it had ever caught on.” Cadence Magazine

“…I found it impossible to tell when they moved back and forth between the written and extemporaneous. …all the playing here is excellent and marvelously expressive. The way the performers complement each other is extraordinary.” The Horn Call

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