Introspection 2 (1975) by Thijs van Leer

Lush classical flute interpretations by this famous Dutch musician will elevate your day!

Only in recent years have I discovered the joys of Prog Rock and 1970s jazz fusion. Prominent among my new favorite groups is Dutch prog-rock band, Focus, and particularly the work of its founding member, Thijs van Leer, who wrote a majority of their songs and provided the keyboards, flute, and notorious vocals (which include yodeling, whistling, and scatting). Beginning with piano at age 3, he built his musical muscles with guidance from his flautist father, leading up to degrees in both Flute and Composition from the Geneva Conservatory. Parallel to his rock band career, he released a series of solo albums that showcase the classical side of his character. Currently on Ranker.com he holds place #20 on "Greatest Flautists of All Time."

Why I love this album

• It's a flute album. Ever since my mother discovered James Galway during my youth, I've enjoyed listening to flute music. Something about it is simultaneously soothing and invigorating.

• Thijs was trained to give every flute note its own story or journey, and you can really hear that on some of the slower pieces on these albums.

• It honestly was difficult to choose whether to review Introspection 1 or Introspection 2 (I'd consider Introspection 3 or 4, but I haven't yet purchased those). What finally tipped the scale were the van Leer compositions: while Introspection 1 includes "Focus I" and "Focus II" (which are beautiful and well-worth a listen), Introspection 2 has "Focus III," which I consider superior in beauty and form, and two others, "Mild Wild Rose" and "Carmen Elysium."

• The orchestral arrangements by Rogier van Otterloo are stunning. Very tasteful use of full orchestra, other solo instruments, rhythm section, and jazz-rock bass lines.

• Wordless vocals from soprano Letty de Jong create a soundtrack-like atmosphere that was ahead of its time.

Album Highlights (links in song titles)

• Goyescas No. IV (The Maiden and the Nightingale) by Enrique Granados had already been re-interpreted by Bill Evans' jazz trio in 1966, but this arrangement returns to its classical origins while adding layers of freshness with the wordless vocals and gentle pulsating rhythms. The minute-long build-up to van Leer's first entrance is well-worth the wait.

• Rondo II was composed by the conductor/arranger Rogier van Otterloo. This modern take on a standard Baroque dance is simply delightful. Make sure your bass settings allow you to fully appreciate its rhythm (a subwoofer helps).

• Focus III is one of the most beautiful and enchanting of the 12 original van Leer tunes bearing the titled "Focus." Listen to the original prog/rock version here, which has a faster tempo and yet lasts a minute longer (guitar solo by Focus's most famous guitarist, Jan Akkerman). Starting slow and melancholic, it builds through unique chord changes to an optimistic and enthusiastic melody around the 3-minute mark, taking you on quite the journey in its brief 5 minute span. You'll want to listen to this more than once. Pure bliss.

• Introspection II, the 2nd of the two van Otterloo originals, could easily be the soundtrack to a Jane Austen story. I picture a courting couple taking a late spring walk in a wildflower garden.

• Mild Wild Rose at times fits right in with any classical Largo, but some very interesting and modern chord changes remind you this is an original composition by van Leer. Much of this piece is a simple quartet of piano, acoustic guitar, bass, and flute, supported at times by string orchestra and de Jong's voice.

• Carmen Elysium closes the album with this uptempo van Leer original. With its rhythmic piano, tambourine, and bouncing bass, it is recognizable for the mood of the 1970s decade, and yet has moments of pure Classical Era music. It captures the spirit of the whole album.

Honorable Mentions

Honestly, everything else! Your soul will thank you if you listen to the whole album.

The old baroque classics especially are given new life by the creative team of Thijs van Leer and Rogier van Otterloo.

• Introduction by Domenico Cimarosa

• Siciliano from Sonata in Eb by Johann Sebastian Bach

• Larghetto & Allegro by George Frideric Handel

• Sheep May Safely Graze by Johann Sebastian Bach

• Bist du Bei Mir by Gottfried Heinrich Stolzel and adapted by Anna Magdelena and Johann Sebastian Bach