Jazz meets classic: Guest Waltzing and the Luxembourg Philharmoniker

Hardly any guest conductor has accompanied the Luxembourg Philharmonic Musically as long as guest Waltzing. Until the 1990s-at that time the Philharmonic were still the RTL symphony orchestra-the collaboration of the jazzer with roots in classical music is dating back.

On April 30th, the Lëtzebuerger Philharmonic will play together with the jazz, composer and arrangerwho, like hardly any other international visibility, has booked and has become the figurehead of the Grand Duchy in the course of his career.

« What a Wonderful World » is the title of this evening. Anyone who had now hoped for a new arrangement of the song, which was once played by Louis Armstrong, will be disappointed. The program also looks very colorful to the very first look. Behind it is actually a political message for Waltzing.

« There is a common thread. We live in a world in which it doesn’t look good. Old, white men take on language sovereignty, with difficult consequences. With the music from very different countries and regions – whether from Mexico, Africa, Argentina or wherever they may come from – » says the conductor in the telephone interview, which also incorporates his own arrangements and pieces. Strong music impressions by Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla and Arturo Márquez then mix with jazz and World Music.

Loyal companions on the side

Isn’t that naive, even cheesy? « We will certainly not change the world with a concert. But maybe a little good feeling about people can be conveyed, maybe arouse a little understanding of other cultures, » he argues. Waltzing gets support for loyal long -time companions.

Morganists Ji can be there again. The singer with roots on La Réunion, like guitarist David Laborier, is one of the closest companions when it comes to such projects. And when Piazzolla is on the program, a bandonon should not be missing: « Like Daniel Gruselle, nobody plays the instrument in the large region, » Waltzing states.

Waltzing is certain that even the few last tickets are going away. « I like music that is simply well done. And this is also noticeable by the people who come to the concert. A full house shows how strong trust in my work is » and refers to the construction work in the segment.

And what about it when criticism, such as the La Philharmonics chief chief Gustavo Dudamel and his appearances, comes up at this year’s Coachella Festival? Does that also stand for a « dilution » of the classic world? He refers to the depth of content as with the political statement of the program and the wealth of arrangements and compositions.

« I don’t make mere entertainment. This work already reflects a lifestyle that extends into the arrangements or the roots of music, » he emphasizes. And yet he adds: « But it is not about the instructive finger towards the audience, but about the best possible time beyond the moments in which you simply don’t want to know anything about the horrors and excitement of the world. »

It will be crucial for a successful evening how the orchestra can immerse yourself in these music cultures. Does that sound really authentic? « The orchestra is much more professional than two decades ago. Of course, rehearsals are part of playing really well or working on rhythms or other difficulties. But you can tell that the orchestra has also tapered heavily and has a lot to offer, » says the guest conductor.

Cooperation since the mid -1990s

And he needs to know. In addition to his teaching activities and appearances, Waltzing became an arranger and composer at the end of the 1980s. On the eve of the national holiday in the cultural capital in 1995, for the first time, he was publicly visible as a conductor at the orchestra’s desk. With its own piece, « Différence – Suite Pour Luxembourg ’95 en cinq Mouvements », which later appeared on CD because of the encouragement as a live recording.

This was followed by the series « Pops@Thephil » of the Philharmonie in Kirchberg, which opened in 2005, many public appearances as guest conductor – with high -son soloists such as Gregory Porter, the New York Voices, Patty Austin, Kyle Eastwood and the Australian jazz multi -Multitalent James Morrison. Not to mention the collaboration for the capital-Summer concerts on the Knuedler or at the Kinnekswiss, which have almost become a brand beyond the concert hall.

And one of the most important moments of his career is connected to the orchestra. In 2016, singer Angélique Kidjo, the Orchestre Philharmonique and the conductor and arranger Gast Waltzing of the Grammy were awarded for the best World Music album. The album « Sings » was recorded a year earlier after joint concerts in 2011 and 2013. To date, it is the only Grammy that a Luxembourg project could achieve.