Composer-pianist Bernard Jonathan’s recording debut is a five-movement suite, “Barong and Rangda,” that musically depicts the eternal battle between good and evil, both in the world and within oneself. Based on a Balinese folklore, the work is performed by a young septet from Boston that mixes together fusion with aspects of Jonathan’s Indonesian heritage. Barong the good lion is represented by a soprano-saxophonist while Rangda, the evil witch, is played by a tenor-saxophonist. The passionate suite (fueled by passionate guitar) is climaxed by an intense battle that precedes a thoughtful conclusion. All in all, a rather impressive debut from the promising Bernard Jonathan.

Composer-pianist Bernard Jonathan’s recording debut is a five-movement suite, “Barong and Rangda,” that musically depicts the eternal battle between good and evil, both in the world and within oneself. Based on a Balinese folklore, the work is performed by a young septet from Boston that mixes together fusion with aspects of Jonathan’s Indonesian heritage. Barong the good lion is represented by a soprano-saxophonist while Rangda, the evil witch, is played by a tenor-saxophonist. The passionate suite (fueled by passionate guitar) is climaxed by an intense battle that precedes a thoughtful conclusion. All in all, a rather impressive debut from the promising Bernard Jonathan.