Brad Mehldau & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Variations on a Melancholy Theme

Released 11th June 2021.

The recording ofBrad MehldausVariations on a Melancholy Themefeatures the pianist/composer andOrpheus Chamber Orchestra, who commissioned this orchestral version of the work, which comprises a theme and eleven variations plus a cadenza and postlude; the album also includes an encore, Variations X and Y. [Mehldau originally composedVariations on a Melancholy Themefor pianist Kirill Gerstein.] Mehldau and Orpheus toured Europe, Russia, and the US with the piece, including a 2013 performance at Carnegie Hall. Speaking to the combination of classical form with jazz harmonies in the works musical language, Mehldau wrote, I imagine it as if Brahms woke up one day and had the blues.

Mehldau continues, The theme itself has a wistful character, perhaps a feeling