From the soundtrack to the almost-forgotten French New Wave film Les Stances à Sophie, recorded in Paris in 1970, these two tracks are treatments of the aria "Lasciatemi morire" from Claudio Monteverdi's 17th century opera Lamento d'Arianna. The first, (i), is nearly a note-for-note transcription of the original, with trumpet, bass, flute, and clarinet taking the sparse lines of the viola da gamba and lute orchestration, as well as the original sung. The voicing of the jazz instruments is arguably more compelling, shifting between dark and bright (welcome, chiaroscuro!), but it manages to remain settled and placid. While the Art Ensemble version has a much less pained sense of pull between each beat and bar, the slighty wonky tuning between the instruments places it more appropriately in a dank New Orleans graveyard.

MP3 The Art Ensemble of Chicago - Variations sur un thème de Monteverdi (i)

The second track (ii) is a variation on the theme, but the tone, while vaguely macabre, is one of whimsy. This is not a funeral procession for tragic protagonist, but a knowing grin on the face of small-time crook, lying down to die with a bottle of malt liquor in his hand.

MP3 The Art Ensemble of Chicago - Variations sur un thème de Monteverdi (ii)

+ Hear a clip of the original aria, gorgeously sung here by Ann Sophie von Otter. + Purchase the Art Ensemble of Chicago re-release on Soul Jazz Records. Also, welcome to the sidebar, fellow Seattlite Buffonery! Welcome to the sidebar, fellow fag and inexcusable 90's and dance hits afficionado Four Four!