Sahara von Hattenberger – IQ84

Fans of Japanese literature may recognize the title of Montreal cellist Sahara von Hattenberger’s new album as having been borrowed from acclaimed author Haruki Murakami’s most famous fantasy novel, 1Q84. The story begins in 1984 and follows a young woman named Aomame as she travels to a parallel universe – one almost identical to our own, except for a few eerie differences. She calls this parallel reality 1Q84 (‘Q’ is pronounced Kyuu, the same way that the number 9 is pronounced in Japanese.)

The year 1984 also sees the completion of composer Claude Bolling’s Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio – and whether it was his intention or not, this new music acted as an antidote for the angst of the era. Massive inflation, the AIDS epidemic, financial unrest, an overwhelming fear and obsession with technology – these all loomed large in the zeitgeist. Von Hattenberger’s bold re-imagining of this famous crossover suite maintains the same sense of overwhelming joy and wit as the original. The Bolling Suite – over an hour in length, in 6 movements— is what comprises the first CD of this ambitious double album.

The second disc represents the 1Q84 of this project. Composed in the ‘alternate reality ‘of 2024, where we’re experiencing an entirely different pandemic, inflation is as high as it was 40 years ago, and the threat of AI is suddenly omnipresent. (It shouldn’t be surprising that mullets have come back into fashion…) 2024 feels a lot like 1984 – reminding us of Aomame’s parallel reality in Murakami’s tale. In that spirit, the record’s second disc is a beautiful collection of newly commissioned pieces that pay homage to the original Bolling suite. Both halves of this record will evoke pure joy for everyone who listens. This album is a welcome respite from the  pressing darkness we often find ourselves in today.

• Sahara von Hattenberger – Cello
• Joanne Kang – Piano
• Adrian Vedady – Bass
• Jim Doxas – Drums

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