Multitudes II - Robert Mitchell

Programme Note: "I wrote Multitudes II in response to the tune Stratusphunk by the legendary musician, theorist and philosopher George Russell. It is a tribute to the man and his overlooked but immense contribution to music in the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Gravity. This is a song of many layers and directions underpinned with the sense that ultimately there is only one fight. The one for unity - no matter from which angle we engage the struggle, our problems are in need of deeply collective solutions! The chance to write for a unit that combines Classical and Jazz is a wonderful opportunity to have another layer of tribute to George - as are the lyrics. I had a great experience late last year of recording Stratusphunk for ‘Jazz Meets Classical’ (a radio series jointly on JazzFM/Scala Radio). I remember a unanimous joy within the band (and plenty of questions being asked as to why more of his music was not being played or referenced these days). His long term dedication to a concept ultimately highlighting unity amongst at first seemingly distant harmonic relationships - is a priceless example. An antidote to an ever speedier culture separating and distancing us from our potential - for a long lasting peace." Robert Mitchell 

 Multitudes II was commissioned by the London Sinfonietta. It was performed and recorded in November 2022 at our concert "Changing Standards", a concert of new original compositions inspired by traditional standards. ​