For those not in the know, Classics Reimagined: Impromp2 is the third in a series of four thematic albums, all freshly spun, alternately sensitive/exquisite and rambunctiously swinging takes on renowned pieces by classical composers and which follows two critically acclaimed releases dropped earlier in 2025 – High Standards (featuring interpretations of Great American Songbook and Broadway tunes) and the originals driven The Ted Rosenthal Songbook.

To add dynamic tonal coloring to the set, Rosenthal invites clarinet great Ken Peplowski to help him explore Mussorgsky’s “The Old Castle” and take a lyrical “Waltz in Ab” (also by Chopin), and violinist Sara Caswell to bring deeper emotional texture to Rachmaninoff’s melancholy “Vocalise” and two beautiful French pieces, Elgar’s “Salut d’Amour” and Satie’s “Je Te Veux.”

Ted Rosenthal is one of the leading jazz pianist/composers of his generation. The New Yorker magazine describes him as “a musician’s musician who balances technique and taste.” The Los Angeles Times calls him “a pianist of rarest skill.” Rosenthal actively tours worldwide with his trio and as a soloist. He also has performed with many jazz greats, including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, and James Moody.

1. Waltz in C-Sharp Minor
2. Slavonic Dance
3. Mazurka in A-Minor
4. The Old Castle (feat. Ken Peplowski)
5. Vocalise (feat. Sara Caswell)
6. Allegretto from Symphony No. 3
7. “Pathetique” Sonata, Second Movement
8. “Pathetique” Sonata, Third Movement
9. Salut d’Amour (feat. Sara Caswell)
10. Je Te Veux (feat. Sara Caswell)
11. Waltz in A-Flat (feat. Ken Peplowski)

Capping an incredibly creative and prolific year for the legendary pianist, who indeed launched his illustrious career 37 years ago, his new album opens on the elegantly spirited Waltz in C-Sharp Minor and the lavishly sculpted Slavonic Dance and then we get the veritably crystalline Mazurka in A-Minor and both the stoically emboldened The Old Castle (feat. Ken Peplowski) and an aching yearn that threads throughout the beautiful Vocalise (feat. Sara Caswell).

Along next on an album where the limitless possibilities that Rosenthal finds within the trio format are on vibrant display throughout, is the upbeat, joyfully playful Allegretto from Symphony No. 3 which is in turn backed seamlessly by the sheerness of encapsulated mastery within “Pathetique” Sonata, Second Movement and the more flirtatious “Pathetique” Sonata, Third Movement, the set rounding out on the gently ballroom swirls and twirls of Salut d’Amour (feat. Sara Caswell), the grandeur of Je Te Veux (once again featuring Caswell), closing on astutey emotive Waltz in A-Flat (feat. Ken Peplowski).