On her Crossover BMG release „Serenade“ in 2005 Jazz-saxophone player Carolyn Breuer gave proof that she could successfully compose and play Jazz, backed by her quartet as well as the famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, thus giving this work a Classical touch. Sophisticated arrangements and improvised parts went easily side by side like old friends.
On her new project Carolyn Breuer takes this concept one step further. From piano/sax duo to the classic Jazz quartett to Big Band, chamber orchestra, string quartett and folk guitars.
„Four Seasons Of Life“ is the title of this ambitious masterpiece.
Each seasons represents a part of life and is expressed not only by the fitting compositions, but also with different instrumentation. Spring stands for birth, childhood and youth, summer for the first half of the adult working life, fall for the next halt and growing older, and winter represents the retirement years until the last breath. Each season consists of two songs.
Spring
The first title is a Schubert composition, „Andante Con Moto“ from his famous 5th symphony and is played by piano (Christian Gall) and saxophone, the perfect tune for the feeling of birth and beginning.
The second piece, „Frühlingserwachen“ is written by Carolyn Breuer and is played with a classic Jazz quartett and represents childhood and youth."
Summer
Summer consists of two self-penned pieces arranged by Michael Abene for Big Band. They were recorded with the WDR Big Band. The wall of sound of a Big Band is the perfect match for a full-scale summer experience and the blossoming of the adult life.
Fall
The first song is another Breuer tune, „Murphy's Bossa“, arranged for Jazz-quartet and chamber orchestra.
The second tune is based on a famous Piazolla composition, „Oblivion“, again arranged for Jazz-quartet and chamber orchestra with the addition of a solo violin.
Winter
The winter is represented by another Carolyn Breuer piece, „Wintered“, arranged for trombone, saxophone, bass, drums, acoustic guitar and string quartett. The solo part on the trombone is played by Hermann Breuer and stands for the breath of life and farewell.
The record is closed by the Jazz standard „Willow Weep For Me“, which symbolizes death and is arranged for string quartett and soprano saxophone.
http://www.carolynbreuer.com
