Schneider, Enjott (1950-) - Colors of Saxophones : Clair-Obscur Saxophone Quartet, V.Lande / Siberian State So, etc - Import CD

Credits:

H. Gorecki & M.

Description:

The Schneider Edition, the tenth in the popular WERGO label series, continues the regular releases of the Schneider Edition, which features a series of works that make full use of the saxophone's virtuosity, including effective quotations from major composers. Schneider was born in Germany in 1950 and is known for his 600 film scores. The "clair-obscur" in the quartet's name refers to extreme contrasts, and the works on this disc also feature such contrasts as "bright and dark," "strong and weak," and "beautiful and ugly. The music here is thought-provoking, with serious themes and quotations from great composers of the past. (1) is a piece written in remembrance of the terrorist attacks in Paris. The third movement of Beethoven's "Ninth" is quoted, alternating with piercing cries, disturbing murmurs, and a series of mechanical tones. The coexistence of a truly human, loving melody and inhuman atonal sound clusters contributes to the horror, and the saxophone also has a dual nature, singing and screaming. The chorus also quotes from the fourth movement.(2) consists of four movements (Prelude, Courant, Sarabande, and Gigue) and quotes J.S. Bach's mean rules. The piece uses Bachian techniques such as cutting out parts of the melody and shifting them from part to part while repeating them as a patchwork, using the center of the piece as a turning point and creating a mirror image form, combining themes from different works like a double fugue, and developing a canon that includes the B-A-C-H note sequence, etc., but the sound is groovy and fluttery. The sound is groovy and stylish. (3) quotes the Spanish Renaissance composer Ruiz de Millán. The music is sepia-toned, with atmospheric soft chords and nostalgic melodies. The dulcet tones of the cor anglais also add a nice touch. (4) is the most "boisterous" music on the album. It has a strong energy and goes through manic and depressive states. Schneider has replaced the spirit of punk with symphonic music, and has written an aggressive piece of music with a saxophone quartet of great expressiveness and skill. King International