Dutch arranger-composer-conductor Rogier van Otterloo (1941-88) was one of Holland’s greatest musical talents in the jazz, pop and classical field.
The eldest son of renowned conductor-composer Willem van Otterloo (1907-1978), in 1980 Rogier was appointed as the Chief Conductor and

Musical Director of Holland’s leading light music orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra.

He was also a renowned composer of film music, providing inspired scores for several Dutch movies, notably ‘Turks Fruit’ (1973),

‘Soldaat van Oranje’ (1977) and ‘Grijpstra & De Gier’ (1979), all of which starred Rutger Hauer.

This Vocalion release contains two of his finest albums from the mid-1970s. Recorded for Polydor, both On the Move (1975) and 

The French Collection (1976) showcase Rogier’s genius as an arranger and composer. 

On the Move features a synthesis of the classics, jazz and funk that is, by turns, exciting, beautiful and haunting.

The only title on the album not composed by Rogier is Go on Forever (We Zullen Doorgaan), from the pen of Dutch actor-singer Ramses Shaffy,

for which Rogier provides a gorgeous arrangement that incorporates funk alongside classical influences. Other highlights include the jazzy, muscular

grooves of The Flattened Tenth and I Do Remember, both of which are powered along by Alf Bigden’s superlative drumming. 

The French Collection focuses on Rogier’s brilliance as an arranger, with a tantalising menu of French popular melodies treated to his modern

orchestrations. Rogier creates elegant, funky arrangements of Le Gars de Rochechouart and The Windmills of Your Mind, while his

orchestration of Charles Trenet and Léo Chauliac’s Que reste-t-il? is simply sublime.

On the Move (1975) and The French Collection (1976) were recorded in the UK, and feature a stellar line-up of British musicians that includes

Don Lusher (trombone), Tony Fisher and Eddie Blair (trumpets), Tony Gilbert (lead violin), Roy Willox (reeds), Martin Kershaw (guitar),

Alf Bigden (drums), Daryl Runswick (bass guitar) and Jim Lawless (percussion). For these sessions Rogier brought with him three of Holland’s finest musicians

– Rob Langereis (bass guitar) and pianists Henk Elkerbout and Rob Franken – whose solos and brilliant musicianship add so much to the music.

Both albums have been remastered from the original analogue stereo tapes for crystal clear sound quality, and the CD booklet features extensive liner notes,

full recording session/personnel information plus several rare photographs of Rogier van Otterloo.