Customer Reviews

Romances For Saxophone

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This incredible album features Branford Marsalis' moving performances of classical music from the romantic period. I enjoy a variety of musical styles, particularly classical and jazz. I wasn't familiar with any of this music or many of these composers when I bought it 15 years ago. I bought it because I enjoyed Marsalis' Jazz, and thought a classical album from him would be interesting. 15 years later, this remains one of my very favorite CDs in my large collection, and I now love music from composers like Faure, Villa-Lobos, and Satie, which this album introduced me to. And I have never heard these pieces performed better than on this great album.

It would be disingenuous to say this is a "crossover" CD for Branford Marsalis, popularly known as a jazz artist. But what this achingly beautiful collection does is to melt all stereotypes away. Not only those that have been pinned on jazz artists in general, or Marsalis in particular, but the entire classical genre. As classical music can often be so intimidating and inaccessible to a mainstream audience, Marsalis dares to let his haunting sax breathe new life into all the selections. Trust me. As other reviewers have said, this will do three things: 1) Become one of your top five CD's in your collection, 2) Make you run out and buy other Marsalis CD's, and 3) Awaken or re-awaken you to the classics. Played like this, you can close your eyes and know, just know, it is the soundtrack of your life and all lives worth living.

I've owned THREE (3) copies of this CD (which is a personal record). I received this album for Christmas in 1987 after shameless hinting to my more than wonderful aunt and uncle in Houston. It was stolen in a break-in three days later. I purchased it again in 1991 only to have it stolen in yet another break-in in 1992. Yikes! I immediately re-purchased it at Jelly's, Pearl Kai, Oahu (great store!) a week later. I've (fortunately) retained the third copy to this day.

Back in 1987 this album introduced me to a wide variety of composers and re-aquainted me with some familiar ones. To any high-schooler as I was, or any neophyte, classical music can be daunting. As I was already a Branford fan on the jazz side of the house, "Romances" opened a whole new door for that me. I feel like it's still a great way for us mainstream classical fans to introduce new recruits to our almost esoteric circle.

If you don't have it, buy it and share it with any of your friends that might be intellectually astute enough to appreciate it. They'll thank you.

Branford Marsalis is possibly one of the most complete and fluent sax players alive. Marsalis is a prime example of a musician who can transcend boundaries and produce great music regardless of the genre. Having served in Stings band in the 80's, adding a glimpse of class to an otherwise dismal Jay Leno show in the early 90's and a stellar career as the leader of a premiere jazz combo throughout, Romance for Saxophone is scenic stop in his tour of the modern musical landscape.

The works in "Romance" are brilliantly adapted for the soprano sax, many of them from vocal, piano, flute and oboe solos of some of the most popular late Romantic works. These works precede the invention of the saxophone, so great care must have been taken in arranging these peices for the sax, as to not compromise the spirit of the works.

Marsalis is a technically brilliant player, and other players would be wise to refer to his pure sweet soprano tone ( as opposed to many of the nasaly "smooth jazz" players out now)

This gorgeous CD is one of my very favorites,and I can't believe I haven't written a review of it!! I keep going back to this music time and time again,for many reasons..mostly reveling in the sheer beauty of the music and Mr.Marsalis'astounding talent.This is one of those CD's you lose yourself in.Very evocative.Very romantic.Downright sensuous.Performed with love and passion.Please,if you only know Mr.Marsalis from his wonderful jazz work,just give this a try.You will develop a whole new appreciation for his remarkable,diverse repertoire.He is a treasure.Period.

I don't normaly like classical music, but this CD really moved me, it was a grear way to get introduced to some very famous and imotional pieces w/o the heaviness of a whole Orchestra. Marsales' clear and clean sound really transports the imagination

Evocative, haunting, and so expressive, this CD showcases the technical skill of Branford Marsalis. His playing seems effortless as he somehow coaxes the soprano saxophone into making the kind of sounds we usually associate with the human voice. This isn't jazz--so no improvisation here--but such expression, such passion! This CD is wonderful as a background for creative work.

In my opinion, this is one of the best Classical CDs ever produced. I listen to it often and I am amazed at what an incredibly MUSICAL performance Branford Marsalis had. If you like saxaphone, I think you will love it. If you don't, I think you will still find it valuable because the technique, the phrasing are quintissential.

I do like classical music. I have had this CD for a number of years and it is still great. The soprano sax is a difficult instrument to play in tune and Marsalis does that and with a wonderful tone, too.

Branford Marsalis performance on the alto saxophone is impeccable. He has selected for this recording a very neat selection of classical pieces, not traditionally written for the saxophone, but admirably adapted for the instrument on this recording. You will enjoy the progression from slow to more animated pieces and the addition of a choir in the second piece by Gabriel Fauré. For the price it is offered at Amazon, this little CD is definitely a must have.