Beautiful lines. This is musicianship. Not “saxophone playing” but the real deal. I wish to make that distinction, because the lack of understanding of the romantic virtuosic tradition has held back the saxophone from becoming a real concert instrument, in spite of those who claimed to have overcome it, and sometimes did when playing at their best, but usually just sounded “good for a saxophonist.” That’s not where the sax needed to be, and without teachers who could demonstrate and pass on that tradition, the instrument has been mired in 2nd-rate “contest music” status. Make no mistake; what we’re asking of the saxophone is no less than the virtuosic tradition of performers like Heifetz, Szeryng, Galway, Fournier and Rubinstein. Not to perform “like” them, but to perform on that level while giving us a reason to hear those works again, and to know them for the first time this way. It’s a mighty big task, and the instrument does not make it easy. It’s one of the hardest instruments on which to play clean lines with the utmost musicianship. Many have tried. Few have succeeded. This performance succeeds and leaves us in a bit of awe for exceeding all expectations, but moreover for being the link between our ears and the composer, Cesar Franck. Bravo!
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Beautiful lines. This is musicianship. Not “saxophone playing” but the real deal. I wish to make that distinction, because the lack of understanding of the romantic virtuosic tradition has held back the saxophone from becoming a real concert instrument, in spite of those who claimed to have overcome it, and sometimes did when playing at their best, but usually just sounded “good for a saxophonist.” That’s not where the sax needed to be, and without teachers who could demonstrate and pass on that tradition, the instrument has been mired in 2nd-rate “contest music” status. Make no mistake; what we’re asking of the saxophone is no less than the virtuosic tradition of performers like Heifetz, Szeryng, Galway, Fournier and Rubinstein. Not to perform “like” them, but to perform on that level while giving us a reason to hear those works again, and to know them for the first time this way. It’s a mighty big task, and the instrument does not make it easy. It’s one of the hardest instruments on which to play clean lines with the utmost musicianship. Many have tried. Few have succeeded. This performance succeeds and leaves us in a bit of awe for exceeding all expectations, but moreover for being the link between our ears and the composer, Cesar Franck. Bravo!
Thanks very much!
I could not agree more, beautifully said
This is really beautiful - what a performance! Bravo!!!
Thanks, Mason!
Gorgeous playing!
Thanks, Kyle 😘
Good sound!
Yamaha?
What a marvel of articulation, sound and phrasing, great saxophonist!
Thanks for the kind words!