TorahSpartacus ****

Tommy Smith composed this musical response to the five books of the Torah for the great tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, who in turn premiered it with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 2000. Revised and performed since then, it is now recorded by the SNJO, with Smith giving an awesome display of unflagging invention, endurance and virtuosity in the Lovano role. The music reflects the circularity of the five sections of the Old Testament ( Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbersand Deuteronomy) as the story moves from creation and covenant, to exile, codification of laws and census, to the final renewal of the covenant. And, despite its panoramic scope and the wealth of colour, counterpoint and dialogue, the writing, with the SNJO handling its multiple demands with assured élan, is remarkable for its focused clarity and imaginative detail. See spartacusrecords.com