Innovation

in·no·va·tion
Pronunciation: \ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : the introduction of something new
2 : a new idea, method, or device : novelty
— in·no·va·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective



For an upcoming publication I been writing on the topic of innovative breakthroughs in music I'm revisiting a few highlights of recent years:

John Adams - "on the transmigration of souls" -
If im to choose a representative for any new light in classical music it has to be this work.
I could talk on and on about the voice movement within the mixed choir, the trumpet line's homage to Charles Ives, or the tapes of mourning family members in the time of 9/11, but i urge you to just go ahead and get it.
It also won a pulitzer..

Pat Metheny - "The Way Up"
Just when you thought he locked himself in a gold musical cage of his own design metheny delivers the album of his career.

Keith Jarrett - "Testament"
This 3 disc masterpiece is jarrett's testament to the reward of reinventing your self-made musical forms and breakthroughs.
He reinvented his musical language, his musical form, and most importantly- musical context.

Wayne Shorter - "Beyond the sound barrier "
Wayne and the quartet stand at the forefront of modern jazz reinventing the term group interplay and form.
This masterpiece lost him his major-label contract...

Alfred Shnitke - "Psalms of repentance" -
The choir ensemble is one of great heritage and cornerstones, ones that havent been touched in decades-some say centuries.
Until now.

E.s.t - "leucocyte"
Esbjorn Svensson's swan song delivers the next and new chapter of this groundbreaking ensemble's journey.
A month after completing the mixing and artwork of the album Svensson tragically died in a diving accident.

John Potter - "Being Duffay"
Known as the leader being the now-legendary Hilliard Ensemble Hillier revisits Duffay in a groundbreaking electronical landscape. WOW.

Ornette Coleman - "Sound Grammar"
Much have been said about Ornette's pulitzer-winning album, yet anyone i talk to about it hasnt heard it...

Michael Brecker - "Pilgrimage"
Brecker completed this album just a few months before his untimely death and after 2 years of musical sabaticcal and medical treatments.
This is the triumph of spirit in the face od adversity as set to music.
Rumors within brecker's circle say the real breakthrough remain unrecorded - a project of new music with balkan origins he was constantly working on while on the road with his various bands.