One of the stranger stories in jazz is that of Charles Mingus' 18-part, two-hour+ work Epitaph. Originally performed in the fall of 1962, in a shambolic concert/recording session that failed to realize the work fully, the score was re-discovered in 1985, re-constituted by Gunther Schuller, and recorded live in NYC in 1989. For the full story:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epitaph_(Charles_Mingus_composition)
Heard as Mingus (presumably, mostly) intended it to be, it is a stunning work. At 128 minutes, the work is too long for this 2-hour program; the two tracks which have been omitted have been added to the end of the on-demand version of the show. The origins of parts which were not newly-composed for the 1962 version are indicated below.
| Main Score, Pt.1 Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph (live, 1989) |
| "Percussion Discussion" was first conceived by Mingus in 1955 as a bass and drums duo with Max Roach. |
| Percussion Discussion Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Main Score, Pt. 2 Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Started Melody" is Mingus' reworking of Vernon Duke's "I Can't Get Started" |
| Started Melody Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "The Soul" is Mingus' reworking of his 1948 arrangement of "Body & Soul" for Lionel Hampton. |
| The Soul Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Moods In Mambo" was composed in 1949 for the LA bandleader Sonny Burke. |
| Moods In Mambo Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Self-Portrait/Chill Of Death Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Oscar Pettiford" was composed in 1960 after the bass player's death. |
| Oscar Pettiford Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Please Don't Come Back From The Moon Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Monk, Bunk and Vice Versa (Osmotin') Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Peggy's Blue Skylight was first recorded by Mingus for the Oh Yeah album, 1961. |
| Peggy's Blue Skylight Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Wolverine Blues" was composed by Jelly Roll Morton. Check out the bassoon solo. |
| Wolverine Blues Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| The Children's Hour Of Dream Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Ballad (In Other Words, I Am Three)" and "Interlude (The Underdog Rising)" were untitled movements in Mingus' score and were named by Gunther Schuller. Both titles are inspired by Mingus' 1971 autobiography Beneath the Underdog, which opens with the words "In other words, I am three." |
| Ballad (In Other Words, I Am Three) Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Freedom Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| Interlude (The Underdog Rising) Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| "Noon Night" is a version of "Nourog", composed by Mingus in 1957. |
| Noon Night Charles Mingus (composer)/Gunther Schuller (conductor) - Epitaph |
| for on-demand listeners: the 2 tracks after "Noon Night" are "Better Get It In Your Soul" and "Main Score reprise" |
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I was having a tough day and listening to your show so far has lifted my spirits. Cheers
9:10 PM, May 3rd, 2023