DESCRIPTION:
Symbiosis is an album by jazz pianist Bill Evans with an orchestra arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman recorded in 1974 and released on the MPS label.[1] It was the third orchestral album by Evans and Ogerman following Plays the Theme from The V.I.P.s and Other Great Songs and Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra (1965).

Personel: Claus Ogerman (arr) Bill Evans (p) Eddie Gómez (bs) Marty Morell (dr) + more
Released: 1974
Recorded: February 11, 12 & 14, 1974
Producer: Helen Keane


0:00 Moderato, Various Tempi [Part 1]
7:57 Moderato, Various Tempi [Part 2]
13:15 Moderato, Various Tempi [Part 3]
25:05 Largo - Andante - Maestoso - Largo [Part 1]
34:17 Largo - Andante - Maestoso - Largo [Part 2]

Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans is most often thought of as a "trio" player, as most of his albums have been piano/bass/drums, with the occasional solo or duo album. But he did record a select few albums with orchestras, and that's what makes SYMBIOSIS a special and unique entry in Evans' hugh catalog. Further, this albums contains no standards or Evans originals--the title piece is a multi-part suite composed, arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman (who also collaborated with Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra, among many others).
The album runs the stylistic gamut: there are moments of Philip Glass-like minimalism (!), samba-flavored big-band passages, echoes of the early 20th century Russian composers, Third Stream jazz, lush yet slightly ominous string arrangements and '70s film music. Throughout, Evans, alternating between acoustic and electric pianos, shimmers and entrances with his inventively lyrical solos. Not your "typical" Bill Evans album--but that's what makes SYMBIOSIS such a fine, gently challenging listen.