Franz Koglmann: Don't Play, Just Be

Once again, the brilliant Austrian composer/flugelhornist Franz Koglmann derives inspiration and motivation from literary and cinematic works. This extravaganza, features a full-blown chamber orchestra to augment the work of famed jazz soloists, James Emery (guitar), Tony Coe (woodwinds) and others. Here, Koglmann delves into the Third Stream with this hybrid symphonic/modern jazz/big band program.

Koglmann divides this set into two theme pieces: "Don't Play, Just Be (for quartet and chamber orchestra)" and "Spate Liebe (4 Songs based on poems by Franz Schuh for soprano, quartet and chamber orchestra)." Many of these interleaving works feature the leader's clement and strikingly lyrical flugelhorn work amid swinging grooves and a series of mood-altering passages. Koglmann's often vividly conceived harmonic inventions shine throughout. However, vocalist Ursula Fiedler's operatic arias on four pieces occasionally detract from the intersecting musical frameworks. To that end, certain areas or movements seem a bit strained and somewhat wearisome.

The artists periodically disseminate a cool, sleek; West Coast (jazz) vibe to coincide with accordionist Krassimir Sterev's exquisitely rendered accents. All that and much more! While Koglmann's latest brainchild might loom as one of his most audacious efforts to date. Recommended'