It's high time those of us who play classical music on saxophone put our talents on display. There's a very active thread in Misc. Saxophone Discussion where people post clips of themselves - it's one of the busiest areas on this board, other than the buy/sell postings.
I'm starting this thread because I'm personally interested in hearing what other participants in this area sound like.
The only thing that I ask of you is this: if you're going to take part here, be prepared to post. I've got no time for armchair critics.
Here's the first movement of the Albinoni Sonata St. Marc on soprano with piano accompaniment.
I will check it out later when I have time -- I'm off to play for the evening -- but I just wanted to say that you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Playing all of the parts to a quartet is not as easy as it sounds. Did you play to a click track? And regarding pitch, I know ideally we should all hear when something is "out" even when playing solo, but in reality we all adjust to the players around us to make the intervals in tune. If you're a little off on one of the first tracks, that will make all of the others have to be adjusted.
Like I said, just don't be too hard on yourself. It'd be different if you laid down rhythm tracks first-- right? You'd have a pitch reference and time reference -- not to mention making an exciting musical event - hard to do without 'feeling' all of the parts at once.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
====================
BTW - Alan & Merlin: liked your posts - Alan - for what was that piece originally written? Do you know?.....
The Dressel was written for Sigurd Rascher. It's really quite a nice piece, but with all 5 movements runs about 15 mins. Although the movements have baroque-sounding names (Prelude-Allemande, Canzona, etc.) the piece is pretty much neo-Romantic. There is a very nice Gigue at the end. Although Styliani and Larry Gwozdz have each recorded it recently, I have no idea why it doesn't get played a lot more.
We just kind of threw together the first movement for the church gig, but the more I played it, the more music I found in it. It really made me want to program the whole piece sometime.
Thanks for the comments. You made some excellent points that I did indeed discover. I laid down the bari part first reasoning that it functioned as a bass line. I did that using a metronome as a reference. Then I built up each part - tenor, alto, soprano ( I did a Bari, Tenor, Alto, Sop quartet - I think I mistakenly posted a 2 altos earlier). Yes, I did miss hearing the other parts - the rhythm section as it were - contemporaneously. As you said, it does make it more difficult to inject the kind of communication and excitement one can attain when playing live and adjusting to the other players in real time. I did enjoy stepping into a different kind of discipline as most of my stuff is improv with only the barest lead sheets as a guide, and of course, my tone, etc., is a far cry from the optimum classical saxophone tone.
hey all... i have enjoyed listening to others. i have been a lurker here for about a year and a half. never posted before..
the recording is of the Mid-Hudson Saxophone Quartet, me on soprano. we've been together about a year and a half, and have played three full length recitals, and other small performances.
the recording is of Pentecote by Bach from the Corroyez book.
i just recorded some (not for this purpose, but what the hey!)
This one is Allegretto Brilliante, and there are some spots where i stop playing for a few seconds. this is where there's a measure or more of rest, so bear that in mind, and it's quite long. (4:05)
Wow, good stuff all. I just perused this entire thread and listened to all the recordings posted. I particularly enjoyed the quartet in Qwerty's recording, very good blend, time, style, stylistic sound, top-notch quartet work! I'd like to hear more of your stuff if it's not too much trouble.
All beginnings are humble, right? For those curious, very out of adjustment Vito student alto, Meyer 5M mouthpiece, Vandoren java 3 reeds, Vandoren optimum lig, and something like 6 months of serious saxophone study. I like to think I've made leaps and bounds since this recording, but... yea, I have, and it almost pains me to listen to it now Oh well. Enjoy, if you dare :lol:
Bozza's Improvisation et Caprice, in that order, played from memory. DAMN that was nerve-racking :shock:
You can find my recorded jazz tunes as well, recorded in the same session, just after the classical ones. They are done to playalong CD's, and found under the name "Queitus". "Improvisation 2" is actually Indiana, Donna Lee, a Charlie Parker solo, then some improvisation, all done along to the same cd. Have fun!
We seem to be a little stagnant here so I've posted a few examples of my playing on my website. All the pieces are performed without accompaniment. Comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc. are all welcome. www.geocities.com/markal36
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Olli-Pekka is a wonderful player, and has done a service to saxophonists by recording CDs of obscure but beautiful works by Finnish composers. I recommend his CDs "Finnish Saxophone Concertos" and "A Breath of Spring".
Wow. Fantastic playing for someone just entering college! I know of at least one recording by a legendary saxophonist that does not have this much energy or lyricism.
Since you specifically asked for suggestions/comments, I'll make just two.
1) In the first movement, I felt that some of the dotted rhythms were almost tripletized, whereas, if anything, I would tend to go the opposite direction (towards double-dotted) to add to the dramatic feel.
2) In the second movement, make sure you restore the drive/vigor after the more lyrical segments. Midway through was not as forceful/energetic as the beginning.
This is a great thread, I've really enjoyed listening to everyone play. Thank you.
A friend of mine just found a live performance that we did when I was at USM with the Sax-Chamber orchestra. The performance was at the Kennedy Center.
Thanks for the postings, gents. I enjoyed the sax choir, and Dan -- very nice! For your age, you're playing remarkably well. I congratulate Russ Peterson (an acquaintence of mine from long ago). You do many things very well. Keep listening to him.
Ah prodigal, if only I knew where I was going to school.
I am not sure, but my main choices (I've been accepted to all of them; a lot now comes down to money) are:
(In order of momentary preference)
>Lawrence University in Appleton, WI
>Youngstown State University in Youngstown, OH
>Concordia College in Moorhead, MN
>University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA
A lot of differences between the schools, yes. But I'll figure something out.
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