Transcending Beethoven Volume 3 “Eroica”
Eroica is selected as best album of the year 2024 by Robin Arends JAZZISM
In 2020, people around the world celebrated the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven. He was a leading figure of the Viennese Classical School and made huge advances in its music, starting the romantic period. Beethoven’s artistic journey was filled with courage, passion, creativity, and imagination. His symphonies, piano sonatas, and string quartets are incredibly important and still resonate with audiences today.
For Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebration in 2020, Paul Stark recomposed a special version of Symphony No. 3 Opus 55 (Eroica) for the StarkLinnemann Quintet. An interesting detail is the double translation that Paul makes in the recomposition. The symphony was not edited from Beethoven’s score but from Franz Liszt’s piano transcription.
Personnel on record
Iman Spaargaren – tenor saxophone / clarinet / bassclarinet
Anton Boiarskikh – trombone
Paul Stark – piano / recomposition
Maciej Domaradzki – acoustic bass
Jonas Linnemann – drums / percussion
If you haven’t added Transcending Beethoven Volume 3 “Eroica” to your collection, please visit our revamped webshop at ucm-records.com for StarkLinnemann’s entire catalog. Buying directly from us, especially after concerts or through the webshop, ensures fair payment and helps fund future albums. Some volumes are also available on Spotify and other platforms, but it takes about 2,500 Spotify plays to earn €10. Your direct purchase makes a significant difference. Thanks again for supporting our music!
Jonas Linnemann & Paul Stark 2026
Press quotes
The StarkLinnemann quintet delivers exceptional improvised jazz, showcasing the talents of the rhythm trio and horns. Their latest work transcends traditional Beethoven influences. As in their previous album, they reinterpret the classical Eroica with a dynamic 'fourth movement' in a vibrant Latin rhythm.
Tom Beetz - Jazznu 2024
Eroica by StarkLinnemann offers a fresh perspective on Beethoven's originality,
encouraging a thoughtful reappraisal of the original composition.
Ken Vos - Jazzism 2024
The energetically rattling Allegro molto - Poco Andante - Presto - including a wonderful trombone and dancing clarinet solo, which later intertwine beautifully
to end in a triumphant unison - is so colorful and sparkling that any initial
skepticism is finally transformed into a “Hell yeah!
Victoriah Szirmai - Jazzthetik jan/feb 2025
Beethoven's symphony serves as a robust foundation for an impressive jazz rendition that stands strong.
Ruud Bergamin - Jazzflits 2024
Paul Stark and Jonas Linnemann have excelled in their rendition of 'Transcending Beethoven,' where they transform the Eroica Symphony into a powerful jazz quintet with a compelling musical narrative.
Bernard Lefèvre - Jazz'Halo 2024
"Eroica - Transcending Beethoven Volume 3" by StarkLinnemann is a sophisticated musical journey, seamlessly integrating various elements to create a unique and exceptional composition.
Joe Brookes - Rocktimes 2024
This incredibly captivating re-composition of Beethoven's “Third” deserves the title “top-class jazz” and once again our award, the Musenkuss. Chapeau!
Frank Becker - Musenblätter 2024
Previously focused on chamber music, StarkLinnemann now reinterprets a Symphony for the first time with Transcending Beethoven Volume 3.
Bert Vuijsje - Jazz Bulletin 2024
Very fine and well-composed jazz, inspired by classical music, performed exquisitely. Highly penetrating and extremely musical, truly fantastic jazz. Listening is mandatory.
Fred Schmale - Real Roots Café 2024
The five musicians tell Beethoven's story: his admiration for the French emperor
Napoleon Bonnaparte in ever-changing moods. Thus, from the last drops of the
rainstick, the third movement attaca begins in such a cheerful scherzo atmosphere
that you almost want to dance along.
Remco Holzer - Muziek Wereld 2024
Those not already familiar with Stark and Linnemann's approach should know in advance that the gentlemen never go for a traditional third-stream approach.
Composer and pianist Paul Stark, responsible for the material, himself describes it
as recomposing. It clearly is. The works of Ludwig van Beethoven are always a
grateful source of inspiration but the elaboration is typical Stark, a jazz opus in four movements.
Georges Tonla Briquet - Jazzenzo 2024