Search - Claude Delangle & Odile :: A La Francaise

Effortless mastery

O. Angel Negrin | Austintown, OH, USA | 02/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree mostly with "saxgod"'s review, in that it is fortunate for us as listeners to hear one of the few masters of the saxophone play works from the standard repertoire of the instrument. His interpretations of these pieces are of the technically cleanest and the artistically most Apollonian variety. The ensemble work is impeccable and shows that of which an initially excellent duo is capable after many many years of partnership.Although the Delangles present some of the best recordings of the commonly played Maurice and Desenclos, the real gems of this CD are the rarely recorded/performed works by Decruck, Sancan, and Koechlin. The Decruck is both richly beautiful and well-crafted, and must be counted among the best sonatas for saxophone (if it is not "the" best). It is written in a neo-impressionist style which may be reminiscent of what Ravel or Poulenc would have written for saxophone if those two had been alive or convinced early on to add to the then-sparse repertoire.The Rondo movement of the Sancan is immaculately performed, as well as each contrasting Koechlin etude. The single aspect of Delangle's saxophone playing that sets him apart from most others is the ease at which his gestures occur. On this CD, he plays some of the most difficult technical passages in the saxophone literature, and makes it seem as if the listener can pick up the saxophone and be able to execute the hardest measures on the first attempt.Highly recommended CD to listeners of every variety. An essential listening item for saxophonists of any idiom.OANegrin"

Claude Delangle Rocks

Daniel Graser | Wappingers Falls, New York United States | 01/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is worth the 15 bucks just for the 5th movement of Tableaux de Provence. Claude Delangle's technique, phrasing and interpretational skills are still unmatched by any classical sax player. On one cd we are given the finest recording available of two major works for the saxophone, the aforementioned Tableaux de Provence, and Desenclos' Prelude Cadence et Finale. You shouldn't need to read this review to know that you should buy this cd, if it's from Delangle you know it will be awesome. It's nice to hear him playing something other than just contemporary saxophone as he is a master of all music."

Listen to one of the masters!

Steven M. Isakson | Moorhead, MN USA | 03/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Delangle is one of the few players alive today that can be truy considered a true virtuoso and a master on the saxophone. Take a listen to what is technically possible on the saxophone. As mentioned before, Delangle is executing some of the hardest phrases to play technically on the saxophone and making it sound almost too easy. Another interesting note is, unless I'm mistaken, Delangle used a saxophone that is the vintage of when Adolphe Sax played to try and re-create what the saxophone would have sounded like in Sax's time. Amazing technical execution. Buy this CD, you will not be disapointed. An excellent CD just to have in your collection for a piece of history. Highly recommened!"