Uri Caine preview

Uri Caine
University Of Chicago, Chicago
Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Mozart’s most cherished pieces reworked with electric guitar and turntables? Blasphemous?

Jazz composer/pianist Uri Caine doesn’t think so. That’s probably why his adaptations, commissioned by Anne Delecole and Sergio Mela of the University Of Mexico City in celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday, of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpieces on Uri Caine Ensemble Plays Mozart (Winter & Winter) work so well. The Austrian composer has been adapted, adopted, reworked, and remixed countless ways by now but where Caine succeeds, and so many others have failed, is infusing a contemporary twist into the classical sensibility. The raucous guitar of Nguyen Le and twisty turntables of DJ Olive in “Symphony 40” will make some traditionalists shake their heads, but if they listen to Caine’s vibrant playing long enough they’ll realize the Philadelphia-born musician has nothing but the utmost respect for The Master.

Plus, we’re pretty sure if ol’ Moz was still around even he would be sick of the same old “Piano Sonata In C Major.”

This concert takes place at Mandell Hall (1131 E. 57th) on the University Of Chicago campus

— Trevor Fisher

Click here for streaming samples of Uri Caine Ensemble Plays Mozart.

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly