The Orchestrion Project (Nonesuch, 2013)
This double set is a document of one of the wonders of the music world in recent years. Although the word genius gets used too often in the media, The Orchestrion Project demonstrates why innovative and visionary guitarist Pat Metheny deserves the title. It’s hard to describe with words what this project is about. The music also doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s why I recommend that you watch the videos embedded below.
Metheny released an album in 2010 titled Orchestrion. This was the realization of a project he had dreamed about for many years. The Orchestrion is a computer controlled mini-orchestra capable of responding to his touch on guitar. This is not a sampler or studio project. The instruments are real and include several pianos, drum kits, marimbas, “guitar-bots,” dozens of percussion instruments. One of the most ingenious is the cabinet of carefully tuned bottles. Through Metheny’s guitar, the instruments are struck, plucked, and played through solenoid switches and pneumatics. It’s truly fascinating to watch. Metheny spent months with a talented team of scientists and engineers to develop and construct the Orchestrion.
Pat Metheny and his Orchestrion went on tour after the release of Orchestrion, performing over 100 concerts around the globe, concluding with the recording of The Orchestrion Project at a church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (New York). The recording comes in two basic formats, a double CD and a video set (DVD and 3D Blu-Ray).
The double album includes all five sections of the original Orchestrion album. Although Pat Metheny is generally considered a jazz guitarist, he’s always been a musical explorer and the elaborate music on Orchestrion breaks boundaries, going beyond jazz, incorporating elements of classical and world music. In addition, there are other earlier Metheny pieces that have been recreated with the Orchestrion, achieving excellent results. I wouldn’t say better than the originals, but rather just as good.
The Orchestrion Project is a splendid audiovisual recording that showcases the talent and innovation of one of the great guitar maestros of our time. A truly captivating project.
Buy The Orchestrion Project double CD or downloads
or The Orchestrion Project DVD
or The Orchestrion Project Blu-ray