I have been asked to review the CD Berlin by guitarist Ralf Krebs. This is a different style to my normal classical guitar reviews, because Ralf plays a number of instruments, classical and electric guitars, percussion, pandeiro, and different effects.
The CD is a fusion of classical guitar, jazz, latin, blended together in a soundscape, with added effects, such as digital delay. Ralf explains his musical concepts:
“I see it as a big personal challenge, to expand the feasibilities of the guitar in my own compositions and arrangements. The more I explore new paths, the more ways, techniques and sounds are revealed to me, all lifting the guitar as an eminent instrument of Jazz on a higher level.”
In Berlin he unites the two worlds of jazz and classical music into one, unique solo-guitar style. The CD includes such well known classical guitar works by Tarrega and Piazzola, played in an impressionistic way.feel it’s Important with these works to concentrate on the overall musical impression, not simply compare with other guitar recordings of the work. This is something many guitarists tend to do when listening to recordings, such as, “I prefer it played this way, or that way, or David Russell (for example) plays it better…
What I found interesting was the recording had the perspective of a jazz players interpretation on some famous classical guitar works. Many, many times we hear Tarrega and Piazolla on classical guitar, it made for a refreshing change to witness the impression these works had on Mr. Krebs, and his own soundscape -
Raymond Bossa
Reflection of Brazillian music, inspired by percussionist the player has worked with. Bossa styled percussion, colourful guitar melody weaving around the rhythm. Jazz incorporated into Bossa style.
Muerte Del Angel
Famous Piazzolla piece, with characteristic strong rhythmic motifs, interspersed with a dreamy, reflective guitar solo. The main theme incorporates percussion and jazz styled improvosations. Overall, an effective track.
Milona Del Angel
The Piazolla theme continues with Milonga, a more mellow work. Krebs again demonstrates his affinity with Piazolla’s music, by giving a sensitive reading to the score.
Summer
This piece begins a section of original compositions by Krebs. Intro slow jazz, leading to a spirited duo with violin. A bright, upbeat piece, one that I feel has evolved over time into a slightly different form than the original.
Ray’s Space is a homage to virtual places.
A Tarrega prelude is played on electric guitar, with delay, the player attempting to create a new age feel to his impression. To me, it sounded a little like a Church hymn.
Estrallas
Homage to Al Di Meoloa and Piazzolla, incorporating elements of both these major influences in Krebs professional life.
Club Sophie was Composed for Krebs quintet Lindroth & Sonntag.
Abandoned
Captures the feeling of desolation when you are left by a person you love, says Krebs. First the melancholy, then feelings of hope.
Berlin
As a student, Krebs experimented with digital delay, to create soundscapes on electric guitar. The title tune “Berlin” evokes this sound imagery.
Feels So Good
A personal favourite work for Krebs, the excitement he got from listening to it over the years has never left him, he tells us. That this music gives the player particular pleasure is reflected in this joyous rendition.
Petit Prelude
Inspired by the French movie “La Mari de la Coiffeuse”, this is a chanson like waltz
Verano Porteno
“Harbour In Summer”, very famous tango by Piazzola, concludes the CD. This piece is long time favourite of mine, with it’s irresistible bass line combining with melody and chords. This rendition is a little slower than I normally come across, again Krebs employs light percussion in the main theme first time, in the recapitulation the percussion stands out very well as counterpoint to the guitar.
Overall, I enjoyed the CD. I myself experimented with digital delay and phasers in my youth. Although they can create an intriguing soundscape effect on first hearing, I soon grew tired of it, because I felt it lacked any real substance. I would say the same thing about the title track, Berlin, as an individual track, on this CD, but I felt the Tarrega prelude came across akin to a church hymn, something I can bear in mind when I next attempt to play the piece myself. It is something I can try to bring out of the melody. So as an out and out classical player, I can learn something from this recording.
Ralf Krebs clearly is a talented jazz guitarist, and his overall music making and the way he has the ability to make his thoughts come across in music is admirable to the point where I can re-think my own interpretations of Piazzola and Tarrega.
