Customer Reviews

Marcel Mule: "Le patron" of the Saxophone

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I can now truly understand why Marcel Mule is considered "Le Patron" after hearing this album. On every single piece, he performs with impecible musicality: tight articulations, great breath control, nice understanding of volume, and tone and vibrato that a great violinist would kill for. Another interesting aspect is the excerpt from Francois Combelle, showing a history of how the instrument used to be played as if it were a clarinet.

Every single saxophonist should own this album, for it is a perfect example of how the saxophone is supposed to be played.

Like the title suggest, I wish I had met hime before his death in 2001. Even though this disc is of original, "poorer quality" recordings, you can still hear Mule's mastery of timbre and vibrato. You can also tell that Mule was originally a violinist from his use of vibrato. I had fellow musician listen to these recordings without telling him who it was and the instrument, and he immediately thought srings. I recently had the opportunity to met and play with Eugene Rousseau, a former student of Marcel Mule and a saxophone genius. I also have the honor of studying under a star pupil of Rousseau, Anna Marie Wytko. Rousseau discussed Mule and through these recordings and my meeting him, I understand why Marcel Mule is called "Le Patron".

Wow! What a chance to hear one of the "fathers" of the saxophone in action.

Marcel Mule was one of the founding fathers of the "classical saxaphone." Becasue of it's youth, the saxaphone is many times disregarded as a legitimate instrument. If nothing else, Mule has gone beyond the call of duty in this wonderful cd to prove any and all of those accusations wrong.
Mule has conquered some exraordinary compositions on this recording. He has taken such a youthful instrument and has given age which in turn, encompasses the soul and feeling that classical music presents in almost any setting.For an insturment that was so scientifically crafted, Mule has given the saxaphone life and colors. His intonation is almost infallable. He has a dark, deep and rich sound that resonates on every longer tone. And his vibrato just sings as any stringed instrument would do.
While the recording is a little fuzzy, which is probably due to it's date of recording, and, or that the recording was done from a distance, and in a hall, the purchase is well worth it. To be able to hear one of the leading forerunners in this still somewhat sub-cultural group of performers is a wonderful experience. So much can be learned from this cd.