In 1972, pianist/composer/bandleader
George Gruntz
arranged for a variety of poets in the United States to write sections for an updated version of
The Magic Flute
, transformed to modern times. The poets were not told that their segments were based on
and
Gruntz
in turn wrote music for the "
jazz
opera
" that does not refer at all to
Mozart
's work. For a variety of reasons, it took 30 years before the production was finally staged, and that debut was recorded and released as this double CD. Eight singers were employed to play the roles, while
the NDR Big Band
provided the music. There is plenty of improvising by the singers and musicians within the context of the script. Without reading the synopsis, it would be very difficult to know what the plot of the show is, and the results are a bit esoteric and sometimes confusing, although much of the music is simpler (including a
blues
and a
calypso
). There are some excellent moments, particularly from
Lauren Newton
,
Mark Murphy
, and
Ian Shaw
, and the unidentified soloists are talented, but this
is for selective tastes. ~ Scott Yanow