Search - Claude Bolling :: Bolling: Picnic Suite

Superbly inventive, beautifully recorded

Catherine S. Vodrey | East Liverpool, Ohio United States | 10/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claude Bolling's astonishing "Picnic Suite" is a superbly inventive, beautifully recorded album of music that's somewhere in between jazz and classical. It's hard to describe, but it's absolutely addictive. The opening song, "Rococo," starts out with a prim, rather strict classical structure, then slouches easily into a warmer, more jazz-tinged mood. Jean-Pierre Rampal's flute playing flits like a butterfly above the clipped piano (played by Bolling) and the mellow guitar playing (by Alexandre Lagoya). "Madrigal" has a Spanish feel to it--mournful, quiet, in a minor key. It's lush and lovely. "Gaylancholic" has the feeling of a fugue without actually being one, the guitar and flute chasing each other down all sorts of musical blind alleys. "Canon" is bright and cheerful, Rampal's flute soaring and singing into a gorgeous blue sky of a piece. This is sumptuous music that rewards the many listens you'll doubtless give it."

Top 10

aehofilena | New Manila, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines | 04/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I were to own only 10 music albums...Picnic Suite would definitely be one of them. Bolling's music is full of fun and vitality. He is today's Vivaldi."

Bolling - a genius composer !

yoav merom | israel | 06/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"bolling is one of my favorite composers of this soft and easy to listen to combination of classical music and jazz. usually a preformer in a trio (- bass , drums and bolling on the piano) bolling composed a few albums with additional instuments -each album a different guest.the most famous is "suite for flute & jazz piano" - joined by rampal on flute. another is "suite for classic guitar & jazz piano" - this time joined by alexander lagoya - a great classical guitarist. after succeeding with both albums , bolling decided to compose an album with both lagoya & rampal as guests, the result (which was great) is called "picnic suite". it's a great combination ! mostly recommended !"