Thijs Van Leer - Introspection 4

The last collaboration between flutist and member of Dutch progressive rock group Focus, Thijs Van Leer and arranger/producer/composer Rogier Van Otterloo was released in 1980. Just like the first three installments of this series, it features Thijs Van Leer on Flute, the beautiful voice of Letty de Jong and the orchestra was arranged and conducted by Rogier Van Otterloo. Once again the result is astounishing as the arrangements and the performances make these classical pieces become standard versions and the original compositions make a superb match for the classical tone. This album has been remastered and it is now available as sold by the great re-issue company BGO Records.

Track Listing:

1. Arcangelo (gigue from sonata op.5 n.9 - Corelli)

2, Introspection 4 (Rogier Van Otterloo)

3. Rondeau Des Enfants (Thijs Van Leer)

4. Grave, Allegro, Adagio, Allegro (sonata en E minor - Handel)

5. Le Tango (Thijs Van Leer - Roselie Van Leer)

6. Air (Telemann)

7. Pastorale (Scarlatti)

8. Largo E Dolce (J.S.Bach)

9. Siciliano,Allegro (Handel)

10. Song For Eva (Theme from Exit 7) (Van Leer - Ruiter)

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Thijs Van Leer - Introspection 3

This third collaboration between flutist and member of Dutch progressive rock group Focus, Thijs Van Leer and arranger/producer/composer Rogier Van Otterloo was released in 1977. The concept remains the same as in the first two installments of this series and the result is just as beautiful. It features Thijs Van Leer on Flute, the beautiful voice of Letty de Jong and the orchestra arranged and conducted by Rogier Van Otterloo. The album was conceived and produced by Ruud Jacobs and John J. Vis and it was recorded at the famous Dureco Studios, in Holland. This album has been remastered and it is now available from the great re-issue company BGO Records.

Track Listing: 

1. Reigen Seliger Geister

2. Roundeau

3. Adagio

4. Brother

5. Sicilienne

6. Rondo III (sampled above)

7. He Shall Feed His Flock

8. Focus V

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Thijs Van Leer - Introspection 2

Flutist and member of Dutch progressive rock group Focus released the second partition of the "Introspection" series in 1975. This beautiful second collaboration with Dutch arranger/producer/composer Rogier Van Otterloo elaborates even further the concept of classical masterpieces mixed together with elements of pop music, including some originals by Van Leer himself, resulting in a beatifully crafted production. This production is available on CD paired with "Introspection 1". There is a remastered version on CD with a different cover, which is currently out of print.

Track Listing:

1. Goyescas No IV (Quejas - La Maja y el Ruiseñor) (sampled above)

2. Rondo II

3. Introduction

4. Siciliano

5. Focus III

6. Larghetto & Allegro

7. Introspection II

8. Sheep May Safely Graze

9. Mild Wild Rose

10. Bist Du Bei Mir

11. Carmen Elysium

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Thijs Van Leer - Introspection 1

During his years of playing with Dutch progressive rock super group Focus, founding member, flutist Thijs Van Leer ventured into the realm on semi-classical music by joining Dutch producer arranger Rogier Van Otterloo. This LP was the first of a stream of productions they did together before van Otterloo's passing in 1988. The result was magical. The covers of classical musical pieces were done to perfection blending elements of pop music with the integrity of the masterpieces and viceversa, the original compositions sound as part of the same repertoire. Although corny at times and bordering on muzak (sometimes called "Elevator Music"), these beautiful and superb orchestral arrangements by Van Otterloo create a concept, which is attractive to any music lover, even the hard core fans of the group Focus. This production is available on CD coupled with their second rendition. The remastered version is no longer available on CD.

Track Listing:

1. Pavanne (Fauré Op. 50) (sampled above)

2. Rondo

3. Agnus Dei (from Mass in B minor JS Bach)

4. Focus I

5. Erbarme Dich (from St. Matthew Passion JS Bach)

6. Focus II

7. Introspection

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