Delangle & Orchestra
Ralphus | Goyang, Gynggi-Do Korea (South) | 12/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Claude Delangle is clearly one of the very best Classical saxophonists performing today - if not THE best.
With a discography that has covered contemporary works for unaccompanied saxophone (The Solitary Saxophone), music by Russian composers (The Russian Saxophone), Japanese composers (can you guess the title?), works written for Adolphe Sax played on authentic Sax instruments (The Historic Saxophone), works written for an early Bostonian proponent of the instrument, Elisa Hall (Saxophone for a Lady), French works (A La Francaise - the title, 'The French Saxophone' was already taken on Bis by a Pekka Savijoki album), a recording of the Denisov Concerto and the obligatory Tango/Piazzolla album - with all that under his belt, it was getting about time that he tackled a disc devoted to works with orchestra.
'Under the Sign of the Sun' features music by French composers for alto saxophone (with one exception) and orchestra. Some are very familiar and oft-recorded (Ibert, 'Concertino da Camera'; Milhaud, 'Scaramouche') while others are less frequently recorded or at least not so often recorded with their orchestral accompaniments (Florent Schmitt, 'Legende'; Henri Tomasi, 'Concerto'; Paule Maurice, 'Tableaux de Provence').
Needless to say, the technical prowess of Monsieur Delangle is almost beyond reproach. Actually, it IS beyond reproach. However, if I were to be incredibly picky, there is one slightly 'dodgy' altissimo note in the Ibert. And yes, he does play the version with all the altissimo notes. This should please Top Tones devotees, but in my opinion some of the altissimo passages don't bring much, musically speaking, to the work; they actually seem like an afterthought. Just my opinion. And, while I'm being picky, are those a few moments of rhythmic instability/inaccuracy I hear in "Scaramouche"? Surely not!
His musicianship, though, is generally exemplary. Even if a saxophonist may decide to do something a little differently, one cannot fault the conviction with which he presents his case. 'Exemplary' is a good adjective for Delangle's playing - and this disc is no exception - as young players could do MUCH worse than emulate what they hear from his Selmer (understatement!).
The highlights for me are the Tomasi and the Maurice. What a fine work the Tomasi Concerto is! And it's delightful to hear the ubiquitous Tableaux with a sparkling orchestral accompaniment.
The other pieces on the disc are the 'Legende' by the under-appreciated, Florent Schmitt (though, personally, I've always found it somewhat underwhelming; it is a stalwart of the French repertoire, nonetheless) and a transciption of Ravel's 'Pavane pour une Infante defunte' for soprano saxophone and strings. The inclusion of the Ravel is the closest thing to a real gripe that I have about the disc. Is it really necessary? As lovely as it is (in its original versions) and as much as all saxophonists may WISH that Ravel had written a solo work for the instrument, I tend to skip it. Again, just my opinion.
For the Tomasi and the Maurice (at least!) this is an outstanding release. To hear Delangle's take on the Ibert, Milhaud and Schmitt is certainly appreciated. Incidentally, the Schmitt also appears, with his wife Odile on piano, on the Elisa Hall album too.
The Singapore Symphony under Lan Shui play wonderfully and all is recorded in glorious, vibrant sound.
Recorded: Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore - 8/2004
TT = 73'49"
A must for classical saxophonists and students of the instrument, for those wondering what a classically played saxophone can sound like (especially if John Harle's EMI album was your only previous experience!), for lovers of French woodwind music and for anyone just curious.
Now I hope that his next concerto project features the Larsson 'Concerto', Dahl 'Concerto', Villa-Lobos 'Fantasia', Martin 'Ballade'...
P.S. I'm listening to the Schmitt as I type and he plays it so darn well that perhaps I'm forced to change my mind about it."
Claude Delangle plays the classics
Michael Christensen | Norfolk, VA | 09/04/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It is refreshing to hear a recording of French masterpieces for saxophone repertoire by one of the modern French masters of saxophone. It is not uncommon (as I mentioned in previous reviews) to do a search for recordings of the Milhaud or the Ibert and find nearly a dozen results. This one stands out among its peers as one of the best recordings in my collection.
Claude Delangle has released a myriad of recordings focusing on modern contemporary music such as "The Solitary Saxophone" and "The Japanese Saxophone," and with each recording he releases, the saxophone community listens with amazement and envy. "Under the Sign of the Sun" provides something more to this collection, as he focuses on the common core repertoire.
The piece that stands out the most for me is the Schmitt "Legende." While I am not a fan of the "Legende" as a piece, I can say with confidence that Claude Delangle's performance gives me a different perspective on the music. It makes me want to pick up the piece and give it a try. Other works aside from the Milhaud and Ibert are the Maurice "Tableaux de Provence," Tomasi "Concerto," and Ravel's "Pavane..."
Of all the works on the recording, the one that seems to be misplaced is the Ravel. It just didn't seem to fit with the other selections, and I find myself simply skipping over the track to get to the Tableaux.
The Maurice "Tableaux" is a major work for Saxophone, and is regularly performed and recorded. This one particularly is a complete change from the usual interpretations I have heard. Delangle sounds more reserved... smooth. It is a drastic change from the usual interpretations I have heard, and this relaxed style of performing is heard on all tracks. Perhaps it is the "french flair through subtlety" that american performers have missed... Certainly, through this recording, that French charm can no longer be ignored.
"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1