The Kenton Touch - Portraits In Strings - Stan Kenton

 

Painted In Rhythm

The Kenton Touch

Portraits In Strings

Stan Kenton

Produced by Lee Gillette

Capitol Records T1276

1960

From the back cover: Stan Kenton presents his glowing Portraits In Strings ...stirring themes by Stan and his ablest abettor, Pete Rugolo. They provide an unusual and dynamic mood concert that features a score of strings, trombone choir, plus top solo instrumentalists.

The influence of Stan Kenton has had on contemporary musical thinking is tremendous; it stretches from composers of symphonies in Europe to writers of mood and movie music. His personal contributions have ranged from a most uninhibited kind of jazz to stately tone poems. The themes employed here are by Kenton and by his early protege Pete Rugolo, now a ranking composer in his own right. All the music was arranged by Rugolo, always a flawless Kenton interpreter. The voicings are balanced between a bank of twenty strings and a choir of trombones led by the incomparable Milt Bernhart. Also heard are guitarist Laurindo Almeida, percussionist Shelly Mann, bassist Red Mitchell, plus other leading musicians. As has been true of past Kenton recordings, there is strong thematic material in these selections, yet the stronger passions are portrayed here by soft instrumental voices. This is mood music, but not the frothy part – mood music with meat on its bones.

Salute

Monotony

Elegy For Alto

Theme For Sunday

Ballade For Drums

Minor Riff

The End Of The World

Opus In Chartreuse 

Painted In Rhythm

A Rose For David