Variations on a Melancholy Theme

Last updated
Variations on a Melancholy Theme
Variations on a Melancholy Theme.jpg
Live album by
Brad Mehldau
Released11 June 2021
Recorded2013
VenueVarious
Genre Jazz, Classical
Length34:00
Label Nonesuch
Producer Adam Abeshouse
Brad Mehldau chronology
Nearness
(2011)		Variations on a Melancholy Theme
(2013)		 Mehliana: Taming the Dragon
(2014)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Financial Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Jazz Journal Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Jazzwise Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
PopMatters 9/10 [4]
Tom Hull B [5]

Variations on a Melancholy Theme is an album by American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. It was recorded in 2013 and released only on June 11, 2021 by Nonesuch. [6]

Contents

Reception

RJ Lambert of AllMusic stated, "Mehldau’s use of modern compositional techniques brings forth some unexpected tonalities, far beyond those of melancholy. The first few variations introduce odd meters, and a spacious “American” sound reminiscent of Copland and Gershwin. The orchestration constantly shifts between smaller ensembles within the orchestra, never settling in any one texture for too long." [7] Nigel Jarrett of Jazz Journal commented, "Mehldau’s ambitious work is a theme and variations in which the neo-classicism of Stravinsky is sometimes invoked as well as the lush and sometimes wild sonorities of a full orchestra. When composers have an orchestra to write for as a rare event it’s tempting for them to get their moneysworth. Not that Mehldau over-indulges himself; in fact, he is often sparing in treating the two-part, three-to-the-bar theme to 11 variants – more if a cadenza and postlude are included and, on the album, an encore of two more variations." [2] John Garratt of PopMatters added, "The truly great thing about Variations on a Melancholy Theme is that it rewards casual as well as careful listening. If you can pinpoint the theme emerging from each variation, great. If not, it hardly matters. No matter your level of education or musicianship, Variations on a Melancholy Theme is still a treat to hear, from top to bottom. To have Mehldau release such top-tier material after 27 years of recording, the deal is only sweetened." [2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brad Mehldau.

No.TitleLength
1."Theme"2:11
2."Variation 1"2:18
3."Variation 2"1:59
4."Variation 3"1:25
5."Variation 4"1:30
6."Variation 5"0:45
7."Variation 6"0:51
8."Variation 7"2:12
9."Variation 8"2:41
10."Variation 9"0:52
11."Variation 10"1:05
12."Variation 11"3:57
13."Cadenza"1:58
14."Postlude"6:29
15."Encore: Variations "X" & "Y""3:52
Total length:34:00

Personnel

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References

  1. ↑ Hobart, Mike (18 June 2021). "Brad Mehldau: Variations on a Melancholy Theme — vivid colours". Financial Times . Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Jarrett, Nigel (5 July 2021). "Brad Mehldau / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Variations On A Melancholy Theme". Jazz Journal . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Harris, Selwyn (2021). "BRAD MEHLDAU: VARIATIONS ON A MELANCHOLY THEME". Jazzwise . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  4. ↑ Garratt, John (9 June 2021). "Brad Mehldau: Variations on a Melancholy Theme | Album Review". PopMatters . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Tom Hull: Grade List: Brad Mehldau". Tom Hull . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "Brad Mehldau's 'Variations on a Melancholy Theme,' with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Due June 11 on Nonesuch - Nonesuch Records". Nonesuch Records. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Lambert, RJ. "Variations on a Melancholy Theme - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Brad Mehldau | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 27 December 2021.
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