Name: Rokoko Jazz
Brand: Eugen Cicero

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

0215248MSW

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-03-11

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4029759152484

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

0215247MSW

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "0215247MSW"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

4029759152477

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "4029759152477"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Eugen Cicero

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Eugen Cicero was a renowned jazz pianist born on June 27, 1940 in Vad, Cluj county, Romania. He sadly passed away on December 5, 1997 in Zürich, Switzerland. As the brother of a well-known musician and father of another talented artist, music ran deep in his family.
His unique style and virtuosity at the piano set him apart from other artists of his time. Influenced by greats like Art Tatum and Erroll Garner, Cicero's performances were characterized by intricate improvisations and masterful interpretations.
If you enjoy the works of Jacques Loussier Trio or Michel Petrucciani, you will find Eugen Cicero's music equally captivating. His contributions to the world of jazz continue to inspire musicians today.

MPS is a German jazz label that was founded in 1968 by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer. It started as a successor to SABA and quickly gained recognition for its exceptional sound quality. Often compared to the renowned Blue Note label, MPS became known as Most Perfect Sound.

From 1971 onwards, MPS releases were distributed by BASF and later by Metronome Records GmbH (renamed Metronome Musik GmbH in 1977). However, in 1983, due to declining budgets for recording jazz music, Brunner-Schwer shifted his focus to classical music and sold the rights of MPS to Philips. Eventually, the label found its way under Polydor's ownership and its recordings were re-released by Motor Music starting from 1993.

In Hamburg, Universal Jazz Germany took over the MPS archives in 1999 while Speakers Corner Records released various vinyl reissues. After ten years since Brunner-Schwer's passing, Edel acquired MPS's back catalogue from Universal on January 7th, 2014. Now led by Andreas Brunner-Schwer and Friedhelm Schulz, the team has returned to Villingen where they continue recording new material.

Rokoko Jazz is the frst record that Eugen Cicero released on MPS in 1965, which also marked his breakthrough and sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

With his rapid swing versions, Cicero proves why he really deserves the nickname that was given to him: "Mr. Golden Hands". From Couperin to Johann Sebastian Bach and Scarlatti, from Karl Phillip Emanuel Bach to Mozart, the reinterpretations on this record take you through one of the great centuries of Western music. Cicero treats the compositions of the great composers of the 18th century with respect and awe. The themes and melodies gain clarity and contour like they rarely do with someone who likes to play them "true to the work". 

Eugen Cicero would have turned 80 in 2020, but unfortunately the exceptional pianist died much too young at the age of 57 due to a cerebral infarct. A tragic fate that his son Roger Cicero - who also became a famous German jazz musician - should share with him. 

Rokoko Jazz

Music GB