Customer Reviews

Ballades for Saxophone and Orchestra

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I'm not a saxophonist and don't know the first thing about the technical aspects of playing this instrument. But to my ears Theodore Kerkezos sounds like a real expert as well as being a fine musician. He certainly has an opportunity here with these varied sax and orchestra pieces by composers ranging from Ravel to Piazzolla. As of the date of this review, Amazon has not supplied the contents of the CD, so I shall do so:

Tomasi: Ballade for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
Frank Martin: Ballade for Saxophone and Orchestra
Ravel: Pièce en forme de habañera for Sax and Orchestra
Piazzolla: Tango Suite (arr. Kerkezos)
Dimitris Dragatakis: Ballade for Saxophone and Strings
Pedro Iturralde: Czárdás for Saxophone and Orchestra

The major works here are, of course, the Tomasi, Martin and Piazzolla pieces. The others, relatively speaking, are over in a flash. The Ballade by Dragatakis (1914-2001), originally for violin and piano, was recast by the composer for Kerkezos. It is a slow, lyrical outpouring, romantic in effect. The Czárdás by Iturralde (b. 1929) is a catchy combination of jazzy harmonies and the classic czárdás form, with its 'lassu' and 'friss' sections. The lassu has a haunting melody. Both these pieces are world première recordings. The Ravel Habañera (arranged by Arthur Hoérée) is by far the best-known piece here and it seduces in its melodic and sultry three minutes.

The 15-minute Ballade by Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) is a three-movement delight. The Andantino has a lovely lyrical impulse and is followed by a jolly Gigue. The third movement, surprisingly, is a soulful Blues. The piece has a subtext, a poem by the composer's wife about a melancholy clown. Tomasi's style is a kind of French impressionism that also sounds a bit like Milhaud in his lighter vein.

Frank Martin (1890-1974), a Swiss composer whose 15-minute-long Ballade was written in 1938 for the doyen of European classical saxophonists, Sigurd Rascher, wrote in a Rousselian impressionist style, always a bit astringent, always utterly clear in form, and this piece does not vary from that assessment. This is the most dramatic of the pieces presented here, sometimes rising to an anguished outpouring by the soloist. Very effective.

The big surprise for me here is the 22-minute 'Tango Suite' by Astor Piazzolla (arranged by Kerkezos) cast in seven continuous movements. I have been a bit of a holdout regarding the music of Astor Piazzolla; for some reason, the music of his that I'd heard didn't especially grab me. But this suite is really quite nice. It starts with a throbbing Preludio that leads directly into an expert (and perky) Fugue that has the saxophone playing lickety-split. Kerkezos shines here, as does the London Philharmonic under Robert Minczuk (a rising young Brazilian conductor currently associate conductor of the New York Philharmonic). 'Misterio' is a haunting and melancholy song followed by yet another contrapuntal (and up-tempo) tango, 'Fugata,' which has the saxophone playing a delirious chromatic subject taken up by the strings in imitation, all in tango rhythm. 'Oblivión,' taken from Piazzolla's sound-track for the movie, 'Henry IV,' is the most seductive tango here, with the sax in the spotlight, cushioned by silky strings. 'Adios Nonino,' written in memory of the composer's father, is, at seven minutes, the longest section. It is a miniature tone poem that limns the heavy tread of the approach of death followed by a serene and moving lullaby. The suite closes with a jazzy adaptation of the well-known tango, 'Libertango.' I am aware that I write of this music knowing almost nothing of Piazzolla's work, and cannot vouch that I got it right, but I do know that I was very impressed by this suite.For someone who has resisted the blandishments of the tango, I had certainly melted by the conclusion of this music.

The verdict: Grab it!

TT=66:13

Scott Morrison

While I do not endorse all the selections, it is for the best of it that is why this is one of my more often played CDs here at the office. Gave it as a gift, and the recipient was one tough customer when it comes to music, but liked this.

This album has something for everyone; Serenity, excitement, passion all conveyed by the wonderful talents of Theodore Kerkezos and his sweet sounding saxophone. His opening track by Tomasi has the most beautiful harmonies and his vibrato really accentuates this. I am however a huge fan of the Piazzolla Tango Suite and this is a must for any saxophonist out there to listen to how a saxophone should be played. The Prelude has a distinct "Kill Bill" sound but it's oh so exciting. You've got elements of Bach's fugues but jazzed up especially in the Fugata. Then there's Oblivion, absolute pure sounding heart rendering music that you could just listen to all day. The album ends in the best fashion with Iturralde's "Czardas" which any saxophonist knows is a fantastic piece to perform and what a great finale to an outstanding collection of music.

This album is a must for any saxophonist and anyone that wants to hear some great works of the 20th century. I can't rate it enough and if there is anyone in two minds - BUY IT!

I think it's one of the best interpretation of Piazzolla.
Piazzolla did not plan to make This suite, but I feel
they originally made a perfect suite.
And all songs are True song of soul, I think.