Moving Along with Harvey Pittel, Saxophone

Paul Creston (Composer), Ingolf Dahl (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Jacques Ibert (Composer), Paule Maurice (Composer), Tomaso Albinoni (Composer), Jeff Helmer (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jeff Helmer
• Composer: Paul Creston, Ingolf Dahl, Sergey Rachmaninov, Jacques Ibert, Paule Maurice, et al.
• Audio CD (May 27, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Crystal Records
• ASIN: B000003J5V
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,134 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > Saxophone

Track Listings

1. 1. With vigor

2. 2. With tranquility

3. 3. With gaiety

4. Recitative

5. Passacaglia

6. Rondo alla marcia

7. Vocalise

8. Allegro con moto

9. Larghetto

10. Animato molto

11. Farandole des Jeunes Filles

12. Chanson pour ma Mie

13. La Bohémienne

14. Des Alyscamps l'Ame Soupire

15. Le Cabridan

16. Grave

17. Allegro

18. Andante

19. Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fine content, lackluster performance, October 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Moving Along with Harvey Pittel, Saxophone (Audio CD)

Pittel's attempt to create a "benchmark" classical saxophone record is laudable. The pieces on the album are standards: Creston's Sonata, Ibert's Camera, Maurice's Tableaux, etc. The recording of this album was certainly a large undertaking, but I find several fatal flaws:

-As previously noted, Pittel's intonation is severely off in several, if not all, of the selections.

-Articulation, articulation, articulation. Where is it? Pittel's tongue is extremely heavy, and renders most of the pieces fine for background music, but not critical listening.

-Stylistic interpretation. Contrary to a previous reviewer, I find his "interpretation" of Tableaux to be wrong. To slow down in the technical passages, speed up during the slower sections, and generally play rhythms incorrectly is not the mark of a good saxophonist, let alone musician.

-This album is fine for anyone who wants to hear a mediocre saxophonist. I strongly recommend, however, Pekka Savijoki's recording of Tableaux, also available on Amazon.com. Savijoki's recording is far more accurate than Pittel's.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saxphone Player's Review, February 22, 2006

By 

A. Harrison - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Moving Along with Harvey Pittel, Saxophone (Audio CD)

I have to also come to Harvey's defense. I dont know what most of you are hearing, but the pieces done by pittel are amazing. Most saxophone recordings are done by people who are just trying to play fast, there is no emotion or dynamic. However, Harvey does a very good job. He plays hem at a solid tempo and has amazing dynamic contrast. This is an excellent cd.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recieved Item in Great Condition!, February 3, 2010

By 

Mark A. Hernandez (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Moving Along with Harvey Pittel, Saxophone (Audio CD)

Sounds great and is played by one of the best known classical alto sax players.