Search - Bronislaw Kaper :: Bronislaw Kaper Plays His Famous Film Themes

Don't ask me how I know

Edward M. Chilton | Midland, MI | 12/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Readers:

Before commenting upon this music CD, the following information is helpful.



One morning in 1980 some vans arrived at the California home of Bronislaw Kaper. Out of them emerged Gene DiNovi -composer, arranger, jazz pianist -plus his film crew. Gene had arrived to spend the day with Bronislaw, to interview him about his musical career, to learn the story of incredible tunes like On Green Dolphin Street and Invitation, and to listen to him play some of his own compositions on the living room piano.



Bronislaw Kaper played his creations in a "minimalist" style; after all, he was a composer and studio orchestra conductor, not a Performer. All the while, film cameras were rolling and recording this charming, witty, under-rated musical genius. The end result, after editing and in-cutting was a one-hour documentary film sans commercials. It became part of a public television series hosted by Gene DiNovi, called The Music Room.



A best guess is that The Music Room series was not broadcast in the USA. The series was produced in Ontario and shown across Canada. To date, those people storing the archival film have not made the series available to the public on DVD nor any other medium. It is an absolute crime that this critical musicology remains hidden from YOUR EYES and from students of music. We, who love music and repect those who create it, should complain our heads off to the proper sources in Toronto.



Until the said documentary is made public, this music CD is the only record we have of Bronislaw Kaper playing his own compositions.



It is more of a historical treasure than a CD for ordinary enjoyment of music. The music of Bronislaw Kaper is best heard as performed by the likes of Miles Davis, Michael Feinstein, Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, George Shearing and countless others.



But, we owe the man his Propers.



I sit at the window and watch the rain,

Hi Lili, hi Lili, hi lo.

Tomorrow I'll probably love again,

- - - - - Hi Lili, hi Lili, hi low.



Edward M. Chilton

Midland, Michigan



"

Only for collectors.

Juan Alberto SIMÓN MARTÍN | Madrid , Comunidad de Madrid, SPAIN | 11/03/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This CD not satisfy the sound expectations. The scores created for great orchestra lose melodic quality on having transfered them to piano solos. But it is a sonorous unique document. Bronislau Kaper was a great pianist before being a composer. To have a sample of his talent in CD, supposes a wonderful event for the performers collecting of piano or the soundtracks collecting composers."