- Artist: Rijnmond Sax Quartet
- Rating:
- Genre: Jazz
Review
This is yet another Dutch group dedicated to playing a repertoire of modern works written exclusively for saxophone, or being adapted to the instrument for the first time. Having played together since 1973, the Rijnmond group has taken all of the great 20th century masters and transposed their works for sax quartet, and has opened its repertoire to include non-European composers. Here the proceedings are quite striking and range from formalist fusion that exists between classical and jazz in the works of Alfred Desenclos' 1962 work, "Wuartet for Four Saxophones." With its sprightly cadences and long largo section in the third movement, it resembles a soundtrack for a silent film in places -- particularly in the cadenzas. Also included here is the stunning "Kwartet" from 1987 by Geert van Keulen, with its strident tempos and angular harmonics that work their own strange counterpoint to the intervals. And despite all the "brave new work" showcased here by the Dutch and Europeans, it is, finally, the two selections written by Gershwin that hold up best under scrutiny, not because of the Rijnmond's performances -- of which all are phenomenal -- but in terms of the material itself. "Three Preludes" and the sections from Porgy and Bess, while not being written exclusively for saxophone, certainly figured in the instrument's wondrous harmonic range -- particularly the "Preludes." Here, all harmonies exist in a continuum of strung-together notes and cadences, flowing from one horn to the next with the color blue floating prominently above the unfolding of the composition. Ultimately, while it's true that records for saxophone quartet have a limited market, this one deserves something more, for its playing and arranging to be sure, but for its spirit most of all. Wonderful. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi| El Run Run de los Soneros (2002 Album by Soneros de Verdad) | |
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