COMPOSERS: Duke Ellington
LABELS: TCB
ALBUM TITLE: Mathias Ráegg's Vienna Art Orchestra
PERFORMER: Ensemble/Mathias Ruegg
CATALOGUE NO: 99802 (distr. New Note)
1999 saw no shortage of tributes to Ellington in his centennial year. Here the VAO uses his songs not as ends in themselves, but structures on which to erect its own contemporary idealism. Without surrendering its own highly original musical identity yet honouring the spirit of Duke’s music, this celebration stands out where so many have faltered. SN