(Jazz, Vocal Jazz) Kalman Olah, Andrea Malek, Trio Midnight, Danubia Orchestra Obuda, Roby Lakatos - The Michel Legrand Songbook - 2016, MP3, 320 kbps

I have been thinking about a project based on Michel Legrand's compositions for approx. 15 years. Much was needed to realize my dream. Most of all I needed a great singer, who could perform these songs authentically, but in her individual way. I needed a very creative and versatile jazz trio being the backbone of the production. I needed a string chamber orchestra playing at a high level. I needed outstanding soloists, who can extend the colour palette of the CD with their unique musical personalities. And of course, I needed inspiration for the orchestrations besides the inspiration that Legrand's songs gave me. On the one hand, I got inspiration during my travels, as I composed these covers in several cities of Europe. On the other hand, I got plenty of ideas during the past 25 years of immersion in classical music, and I got plenty of inspirations from Bach's music, as well. There is Bach hidden in Legrand's music, so it wasn't difficult for me to use baroque motifs. However there are many other possibilities in these songs, which can be turned in several music directions. I think, in spite of the various musical sounds of the album, Legrand's personality and immediately recognizable tunes make the production unified." (Kálmán Oláh)