Bravo
tlemp | cleveland | 06/24/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Look..., you already have negative critics. That means you are doing something good. Excellent execution of octave slurs! Continue working hard. You sound great."
A Classical-Saxophone-Lover's Dream Come True!
goodmusicman | USA | 08/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD, featuring classical works arranged for saxophone and piano, is probably the best classical music CD of the year 2009. Anyone who appreciates the classical saxophone and is familiar with such works as the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto or Debussy's Rapsodie for saxophone and orchestra will absolutely love this CD. Saxophonist Amy Dickson displays such amazing versatility on this CD that one sometimes wonders if it is indeed the saxophone that is being played on each track. Dickson handles every note of each work with unusual grace and plays in every key imaginable. She can make her instrument sound like a silky whisper or convey a higher pitched, clarinet-like sound and just about everything in between. The standouts here are the arrangements of Rachmaninov's Vocalise, Part's Spiegel im Spiegel, and Piazzolla's Ave Maria. The Vocalise, as played here, is one of the most moving and lushly Romantic works I have ever heard. It sounds so perfect for saxophone and piano that the listener would have no idea that the work is also available in half a dozen other arrangements--this version is easily the best of them all. The Piazzolla is a particularly moving arrangement. All the remaining works are of a lyrical and pleasant nature (nothing dissonant or pulse-poundingly exciting) and they make for the ultimate classical relaxing listening experience.
Throughout the CD, the pianist, Catherine Milledge, gives sensitive and thoughtful accompaniment. The sound quality is as vivid and realistic as one could want, with the saxophone very closely miked and the piano always audible behind it. I can only say that I strongly disagree with whatever negative sentiments have been expressed on the other Amazon reviews. This CD is a winner--both Gramophone and Fanfare magazines gave it very strong recommendations. I gave this CD 5 stars, but I would give it 6 if I could! Let's hope Dickson continues to provide classical music fans with the highest quality saxophone playing out there. More recordings, please!"
