This pdf was last updated: Jan/12/2011. Jacques Loussier

The Play Bach Trio caught the imagination of a generation. A cool, sophisticated, beautifully moulded sound appreciated by listeners from both camps, the and the classical.

Line-up Jacques Loussier - piano Dunoyer de Segonzac - bass Andre Arpino - percussion

On Stage: 3 Travel Party: 4

Website www.loussier.com

Biography The brilliant pianist Jacques Loussier, has brought his own artistry to bear on Bach's works. Loussier's starting point has always been the desire to communicate his love of Bach, not to exploit it for his own purposes. In the same way that the Modern Jazz Quartet infused their Jazz with the music of the Baroque era, Loussier marvellously infuses Bach with his jazz. He never drowses the original subtleties of the harmony, rhythm and melody, but by some miracle enhances them. Jacques Loussier was born in Angers in 1934, western France, and by the time he was 13 years-old he had already resolved on a career in music. At the age of 25, Loussier was first taken with the idea of trying to catch a glimpse of Bach through the jazz prism and by the mid sixties the unique fame of Jacques Loussier Trio had spread around the world and continued to do so for the next ten years. Then in 1978, trapped by his own success, Loussier disbanded the Play Bach Trio, and ventured into new pastures. In 1985, however, the year of the tercentenary of the birth of Bach, Loussier formed a new Play Bach Trio with André Arpino on percussion and Vincent Charbonnier on string bass. From the 86´s to now, Loussier came into a new productive era: a symphonic composition in 1986, the Baroque of 21st century "Lumières" is written for orchestra, choirs, drums and two singers soloists. Two concertos then were composed, trumpet and violin, and a piece for strings "Tableaux Vénitiens". Now a master in a technique of adaptation and improvisation, Jacques Loussier accepted new challenges and gave his own personal interpretations of Vivaldi's masterpiece, "The Four Seasons", 's Gymnopédiesand Ravel's Bolero, to which he added a suite of short impressionist pieces "Les Nymphéas". Lastly in 2000 he rounded off his exploration with the major work of , whose preludes and orchestral works were adapted for his jazz Trio. For the 250th anniversary of the death of Jean-Sebastien Bach, Jacques Loussier returned to his master and recorded "Les Variations Goldberg". In 2001 also a CD "Baroque Favorites" is recorded and composed from major themes from Haendel, Marcello , Albinoni, Scarlatti et Marin Marais. Haendel inspired him again with another album in 2002 released by Telarc. Since nearly 20 years The Trio has crossed over the world . In 2004, many places will celebrate the anniversary of 45 years of Play Bach, 40 years of performing , 20 years for the 2nd Trio and 70 years for Jacques! 2002 ended with a number of record-breaking performances of more than 3000 concerts . It consecrated Jacques Loussier once and for all as one of the key pianists of his generation who, by placing himself at the crossroads between different musical styles, has profoundly marked his day and age.

Discography 1969 You Only Love Once - London 1987 In Loussier's Mood - Polydor 1987 Reflections of Bach - Capitol 1992 Images - Castle 1992 Bach to Bach - Sound 1996 Jacques Loussier Plays Bach - Telarc 1997 The Four Seasons - Telarc 1997 Play Bach, Vol. 1-2 - Musidisc 1998 Satie: Gymnopédies Gnossiennes - Telarc 1999 Ravel: Bolero - Telarc 1999 Bach's - Telarc 1999 Bach Book 40th Anniversary Album - Telarc 2000 Take Bach - Elektra/Asylum 2000 The Music of Debussy - Telarc 2001 Play Bach, Vol. 1 - Polygram 2001 Play Bach, Vol. 2 - Polygram 2001 Baroque Favorites - Telarc 2002 Play Bach [2002] - Prism Leisure 2002 Handel: Water Music - Telarc 2003 Allegretto from Symphony No. 7 - Telarc 2003 Very Best Of - Decca

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