Through the “Classics Reimagined” series, celebrated pianist and longtime faculty member at Juilliard Ted Rosenthal leads his improvisation-based trio to reframe well-known classical themes into a jazz trio setting. The latest installation, “Improm2,” takes shape by transforming masterpieces from the likes of Chopin, Beethoven, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff into vivid, modern jazz conversations.
This is not simple “crossover” padding though, and Rosenthal treats each classical piece as raw material rather than an exhibit. He extracts motifs and colors, reshaping them into swinging grooves and rubato ballads. The result sits squarely in contemporary jazz, but you can still feel the classical DNA within it.
Ted Rosenthal Trio – Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 (CD)
At the heart of the record is the trio interplay: Rosenthal’s pianistic clarity and compositional shaping builds perfectly on Noriko Ueda’s (bass) anchoring harmonic and rhythmic movement. The drums split between Quincy Davis and/or Tim Horner depending on the track produce a flexible, highly responsive rhythm section.
Across the album the trio alternates roles fluidly: sometimes the bass and drums lock into a driving swing or gentle underpinning that lets Rosenthal solo freely. Other times, like in the interpretations of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” sonata, the trio pulls back into chamber-like textures where space and silence are key.
The opening track, “Waltz in C-Sharp Minor,” is a stunning piece of innovation that blends Latin textures and rhythms while still preserving Chopin’s lyricism. The reconstruction of Mussorgsky’s “The Old Castle” (feat. Ken Peplowski) is also interesting as Peplowski’s warm, woody clarinet tone pairs with Rosenthal’s blues-tinged soloing; creating an arrangement that balances both nostalgia and swing.
If you love both classical repertoire and intelligent jazz arranging, this album is a joy: it rewards repeated listens because the arrangements are layered with a complexity that is difficult to appreciate with a single listen. Rosenthal’s project emphasizes lyrical conversation over nonstop virtuosic display, leading to an intelligent yet deeply enjoyable record.
Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 is a thoughtful, well-executed merging of classical themes and modern jazz trio artistry. Rosenthal’s arranging intelligence, the trio’s responsive dynamics, and tasteful guest turns make this one of the stronger jazz/classical crossover albums of the year. This record is highly recommended for listeners who enjoy chamber jazz, and inventive reinterpretations of the classical canon.