I love what the Kronos Quartet has done here. What some seem to be missing here is that they are transforming this music, into a classical format...not a jazz format. This shows the strength of Monk's compositions in both genres...
Having had my little rant, I have to add that the Kronos Quartet are a bunch of fantastic musicians. I truly believe that it is just the arrangement that has let them down here. As a composer of contemporary music I have a lot of respect for this quartet, they are amongst the frontrunners as performers of 'the new' and without open-minded performers like these, String 4tets would probably all still be playing Haydn or Mozart (and we'd probably all still be writing that way too!)
cont... It would have possibly been more successful to have just taken Monk's original head (theme) and to have put it through a more contemporary compositional filter to achieve a real development as opposed to this written quasi-jazz style. This puts me in mind of those horrible 'classical rock' type albums. I pray that the work of our great Jazz Masters doesn't end up getting regurgitated in the same way.
I dig the Kronos Quartet, but as a passionate interpreter of Monk's music I have to say that I don't dig this at all! The 'swing' sections feel far too 6/8 (folk swing), the notes all seem to be taken far too literally (where is the lateral). Improvisation!!??!! And unfortunately the arranger fails to develop the unique melody in any way shape or form.
I like the Monk original version better too, but I think that the song suits itself well to this quartet. They may not be improvising, but the music is still great... I think that it transcends genre. I agree that it sounds "totally weird," but that's perfect for this particular Monk composition, in my mind. If anything, it's great that a "jazz" composition is being played by a traditional "classical" style ensemble, because it shows that the two aren't at all exclusive.
I like the Monk original version better too, but I think that the song suits itself well to this quartet. They may not be improvising, but the music is still great... I think that it transcends genre. I agree that it sounds "totally weird," but that's perfect for this particular Monk composition, in my mind.
I'm with 923Haze - given the availability of the original, with Monk and Sonny etc, why would anyone want to hear this crap? It don't even make it as a parody. This is a JAZZ tune, guys!
Point taken, that music is meant to free the mind, not close it; and to be fair, the Kronos quartet are an awesome group. They've blown my mind a number of times. And I'm aware also of the pointlessness of any cover done as a straight copy of an original; that's always a waste of time. However, all that said, "Brilliant Corners" from a string quartet, to my ears, just sounds weird or totally out of context. Anyway, now I'm over the shock maybe I'll give it another listen sometime - cheers.
I think this is great. It sounds very Bartok-esque.
fissionesque 2 weeks ago
I love what the Kronos Quartet has done here. What some seem to be missing here is that they are transforming this music, into a classical format...not a jazz format. This shows the strength of Monk's compositions in both genres...
jevonj77 3 months ago
Music to catch that mouse to.
BINKIE2000 6 months ago
Well,I 'm enjoying it. And I think Monk is smiling somewhere.
aarfeld 8 months ago
Nice and cornery - but watch that wind - the sheet music will get blown away.
BINKIE2000 11 months ago
Having had my little rant, I have to add that the Kronos Quartet are a bunch of fantastic musicians. I truly believe that it is just the arrangement that has let them down here. As a composer of contemporary music I have a lot of respect for this quartet, they are amongst the frontrunners as performers of 'the new' and without open-minded performers like these, String 4tets would probably all still be playing Haydn or Mozart (and we'd probably all still be writing that way too!)
JazzTurkle 1 year ago
cont... It would have possibly been more successful to have just taken Monk's original head (theme) and to have put it through a more contemporary compositional filter to achieve a real development as opposed to this written quasi-jazz style. This puts me in mind of those horrible 'classical rock' type albums. I pray that the work of our great Jazz Masters doesn't end up getting regurgitated in the same way.
JazzTurkle 1 year ago
I dig the Kronos Quartet, but as a passionate interpreter of Monk's music I have to say that I don't dig this at all! The 'swing' sections feel far too 6/8 (folk swing), the notes all seem to be taken far too literally (where is the lateral). Improvisation!!??!! And unfortunately the arranger fails to develop the unique melody in any way shape or form.
JazzTurkle 1 year ago
Comment removed
JazzTurkle 1 year ago
Arranged for string quartet sounds a little like Messiaen
MultiGargiulo 1 year ago
I like the Monk original version better too, but I think that the song suits itself well to this quartet. They may not be improvising, but the music is still great... I think that it transcends genre. I agree that it sounds "totally weird," but that's perfect for this particular Monk composition, in my mind. If anything, it's great that a "jazz" composition is being played by a traditional "classical" style ensemble, because it shows that the two aren't at all exclusive.
gurnblanston24 1 year ago
I like the Monk original version better too, but I think that the song suits itself well to this quartet. They may not be improvising, but the music is still great... I think that it transcends genre. I agree that it sounds "totally weird," but that's perfect for this particular Monk composition, in my mind.
gurnblanston24 1 year ago
I'm with 923Haze - given the availability of the original, with Monk and Sonny etc, why would anyone want to hear this crap? It don't even make it as a parody. This is a JAZZ tune, guys!
Blackgeoff1 2 years ago
understood , and yet ... this is a cover version ... as most of us understand , covers are NOT intended to be THE SAME as an original .
please feel free to type in the name "Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners" to get the ( and i agree ) wonderful original piece .
and remember music is meant to FREE your mind, not close it .
cheers.
MusicForYourFunk 2 years ago 4
Re:
Point taken, that music is meant to free the mind, not close it; and to be fair, the Kronos quartet are an awesome group. They've blown my mind a number of times. And I'm aware also of the pointlessness of any cover done as a straight copy of an original; that's always a waste of time. However, all that said, "Brilliant Corners" from a string quartet, to my ears, just sounds weird or totally out of context. Anyway, now I'm over the shock maybe I'll give it another listen sometime - cheers.
MusicForYourFunk 2 years ago
the above was the reply Blackgeoff1 wrote in response . i was trying to hit the reply button myself , but mistakenly hit the remove tab by mistake .
Many thanks for Blackgeoff for the thoughtful reply . and i agree with you to the fullest .
many thanks .
MusicForYourFunk 2 years ago
Comment removed
fissionesque 2 weeks ago
Big thanks for this- still tryin' to analyze the bridge, if that's even possible...
anteupper 2 years ago
original pls
not this
923Haze 2 years ago
bro , type what you want in the search box .
this one is billed as the Kronos Quartet .
MusicForYourFunk 2 years ago
nigga please
923Haze 2 years ago
please what ? explain how to use the search menu ?
MusicForYourFunk 2 years ago
Are you a moron or just pretending to be one?
GreggaryPeccary 2 years ago