TED ROSENTHAL TRIO, Classics Reimagined: Impromp2

The release of the masterfully conceived, arranged and performed Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 by the Ted Rosenthal Trio caps an incredibly creative and prolific year for the legendary pianist, who launched his illustrious career 37 years ago by winning the Thelonious Monk International Competition.

The third in a series of four thematic albums, Classics Reimagined’s freshly spun, alternately sensitive/exquisite and rambunctiously swinging takes on renowned pieces by classical composers follows two critically acclaimed releases dropped earlier in 2025 – High Standards (featuring interpretations of Great American Songbook and Broadway tunes) and the originals driven The Ted Rosenthal Songbook.

Having long believed that classical themes are ripe for unique jazz arrangements, the versatile pianist paved the way for this majestic, adventurous and rhythmically diverse 11 track collection by playing this repertoire with his trio, in solo concerts and trio plus chamber orchestra settings. He and his nimble trio (bassist Noriko Ueda and alternating drummers Quincy Davis and Tim Horner) roll through a fascinating, sonic surprise filled set of pieces by Chopin (from the buoyant “Waltz in C-Sharp Minor” to the graceful and elegant “Mazurka in A Minor”), Dvorak (the bustling, playfully swinging “Slavonic Dance”), Brahms (a shimmering romp through “Allegretto from Symphony No. 3”) and Beethoven (exploring the quieter mood of “Pathetique Sonata, 2nd Movement” before exploding into a high octane jam on the 3rd).

To add dynamic tonal coloring to the set, Rosenthal invites clarinet great Ken Peplowski to help him explore Mussorgsky’s “The Old Castle” and take a lyrical “Waltz in Ab” (also by Chopin), and violinist Sara Caswell to bring deeper emotional texture to Rachmaninoff’s melancholy “Vocalise” and two beautiful French pieces, Elgar’s “Salut d’Amour” and Satie’s “Je Te Veux.”