Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Randy Brecker - Charles Mingus: Epitaph - Bigband of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (2024) [Hi-Res]

"Epitaph" is a panorama of jazz history from Mingus' individual perspective and at the same time the sum and legacy of his artistic work. Even 100 years after his birth, Charles Mingus is still regarded as an artistic genius and the "angry man" of jazz, an uncompromising fighter against racial segregation and for unconditional truthfulness in music, but one who was often unable to control his emotions and became violent when angry.

This image is confirmed by the circumstances surrounding the premiere of Mingus' "opus magnum", the two-hour suite "Epitaph" on October 12, 1962 in New York's Town Hall, which has long since become a legend in jazz history. The piece was only reconstructed in the 1980s and premiered in its entirety in 1989.

For the finale of Musikfest Berlin 2022, the BigBand of the Deutsche Oper Berlin played "Epitaph" as a tribute to the 100th birthday of Charles Mingus. Under the energetic direction of Titus Engel, the musicians of the BigBand and the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Jazzinstitut Berlin presented the expressive worlds of dark menace, deep sonority, conflict and intoxication with irrepressible joy of playing and remarkable clarity. Star trumpeter Randy Brecker lets his wonderfully clear tone soar to the highest heights.

It becomes touching when Jorge Puerta sings "Freedom" in a powerful voice and the musicians hum along.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Main Score - Pt. 1 (5:32)
1.02 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Percussion Discussion (8:55)
1.03 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Main Score – Pt. 2 (5:09)
1.04 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Started Melody (13:08)
1.05 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Better Get Hit in Your Soul (11:36)
1.06 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - The Soul (2:49)
1.07 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Moods in Mambo (4:29)
1.08 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Self Portrait / Chill of Death (11:30)
1.09 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - O.P. (Oscar Pettiford) (3:48)
1.10 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Pinky / Please Don’t Come Back from the Moon (8:50)
1.11 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Monk, Bunk, and Vice Versa (Osmotin’) (3:49)
1.12 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Peggy’s Blue Skylight (4:37)
1.13 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Wolverine Blues (5:50)
1.14 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Children’s Hour of Dream (9:01)
1.15 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - This Subdues My Passion (3:14)
1.16 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Untitled Ballad – In Other Words, I am Three (10:35)
1.17 - Randy Brecker, Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Jorge Puerta - Freedom (9:33)
1.18 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - "Untitled Interlude - The Underdog Rising" (4:04)
1.19 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Noon Night (5:03)
1.20 - Big Band of the Deutsche Oper Berlin - Main Score Reprise (5:01)