Quarterly Critic’s Choice
The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.
Jazz
Karl Ratzer Trio: Vienna Red
CD/2 LPs, IN+OUT Records IOR77160-2/-1 (Edel)
In the year of his 75th birthday, there is little to remind us that Karl Ratzer was once a renowned rock guitarist on the Viennese scene of the 1960s. Jazz has shaped his music for more than four decades. Trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker booked him as a tour companion in the 1980s – after ten years in the USA, this was something of a revelation for Karl Ratzer. From fusion jazz, he moved straight into classic trio jazz, characterised by bebop and swing. And with his slightly fragile tone, the guitarist also honours the memory of Chet Baker, who had such a formative influence on him, between charming improvisations. For the jury: Lothar Jänichen
Jazz
from Jandln to Ernst
Christian Muthspiel & Orjazztra Vienna & the voice of Ernst Jandl: from Jandln to Ernst. 2 CDs, col legno WWE 2CD 20477 (Naxos)
This recording creates a musical chamber of wonders; the voice of a dead poet speaks to the living with undiminished power. The voice belongs to Ernst Jandl, who, like few others, transformed the written word into spoken language and was its best interpreter – for example, with the NDR Big Band. Composer Muthspiel, who worked with Jandl during his lifetime, dedicates a large-scale work to him on his 100th birthday, incorporating original recordings of the eloquent poet into multifaceted arrangements performed by the first-class Orjazztra Vienna. For the jury: Bert Noglik
This album won both the Crossover Productions jury and the Jazz II jury.