Symphonic Thelonious Monk

Programme

Music by Thelonius Monk (arrangements by Eero Koivistoinen)

The rise of modern jazz, or bebop, had a significant influence on the musical landscape in the 1940s, making the genre progressive and experimental. The change marked the end of the domination of lighter jazz, and the genre became characteristic of forms of what was typically labelled as “art music”, which was and still is designed for the more demanding audience.

The pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, who lived and created his works in New York, was one of those behind the changes. Many of his pieces became jazz standards and will now be performed in the extremely multi-layered symphonic arrangements of Eero Koivistoinen, the grand old man of Finnish jazz. The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, once again conducted by Antti Rissanen, will be creating a nominal sequel to the concert programme which contains the music of Duke Ellington, which was performed under the same composition.

In collaboration with Eesti Kontsert