Customer Reviews

Philip Glass : Saxophone

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is the fourth release on Philip Glass's new private Orange Mountain Music label. Four releases in less than a year is impressive, and each of the four has been wonderful. All are available only through amazon.com.

"Saxophone" as the name implies, is a CD of all-saxophone music. Starting off with the Concerto for Saxophone Quartet, which originally appeared on the CD "Symphony No. 2" (Nonesuch Records) in the full version with orchestra, this version is scored for saxophone quartet only. It's a wonderful piece in four movements- each movement is markedly different from each other. Of particular note for myself is the third movement, which goes to my heart like a laser beam was shown on it. I can picture Philip Glass composing the third movement during a rainy night in Manhattan. It never fails to almost bring me to tears. The jazzy, joyous second and last movements are a great counter to the third movement. I still prefer the original recording with the orchestra, but this is a wonderful performance and you may prefer it over the original. The Rascher Saxophone Quartet does an awesome job in their performance.

The next piece on the CD is called Melodies for Saxophone, consisting of 13 short "sketches", some of which made their way into the saxophone concerto. These are all skillfully played by Andrew Sterman, who is a member of the Philip Glass Ensemble. Some of the pieces are great, and others are definitely not much more than sketches. The pieces give further insight into the thought processes of a true genius.

The final piece on the CD is called The Windcatcher. This is my favorite piece on the CD. In three movements of moderate length, this is a beautiful piece, effortlessly played by longtime members of the Philip Glass Ensemble: Jon Gibson, Richard Peck, and Andrew Sterman. These guys have played Glass music for up to three decades and it shows (it's more difficult to play than these guys make it sound.)

This 63 minute CD is another great addition to the rapidly growing Orange Mountain Music catalog. As always, the recording quality is top-notch. This CD is not as intense overall as the first three OMM releases (The Music of Candyman, Early Voice, and A Descent into the Maelstrom). It makes for great listening no matter where you may be- in your office, in your car, at home, etc. You won't regret purchasing this disc!

or anyone with ears, for that matter. The Concerto is simply an amazing experience. There have been less-than-inspiring concert performances of the orchestral version, but forget what you've heard and get this album. The musicality of the Quartet's performance is beyond description.

And if you or someone you love plays the saxophone, get the album and get the score of the Melodies out of the library or buy it. They range in difficulty from "you can play it at sight" to "maybe a few months from now", but how much of Glass's music is available for you to play right now by yourself?

For those who will just be listening, Andrew Sterman's performances are worth the price of the album. The baritone work, in particular, will delight audiophiles and inspire many saxophone players to find better day jobs---either to stop playing entirely, or to go out and get a bari of their own on which to attempt to reproduce those amazing sounds.

As one who practices the saxophone daily and a great fan of Philip Glass I did a search to see if Mr. Glass had any saxophone works published. I had read somewhere that he was very familiar with flute playing and since it is the same fingering there must have been something on saxophone. What a delightful surprise. This CD is a collection of melodies from a sketch book for the Saxophone Concerto which was commissioned by the world renowned Rascher Saxophone Quartet. As a saxophone aficionado it pleases me tremendously to hear Philip Glass' works via my favorite instrument. I also use this CD during my morning run, it pushes me forward physically speaking and it exercises my brain while enchanting my spirit in a mix of muscle heat and bliss. A perfect CD to take to an isolated island if only one was available.

3 1/2

With three distinct sections that contrast nicely with each other, experimental lovers of clean-sounding saxophone will find much to appreciate with the composer's classical take on the instrument. As is common with most Glass, the work mainly does not go past exercise, but unlike other compositional indulgences, these exercises do not feel vacantly strained in the slightest.