Record Details
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Record ID
1928
Artist
Branford Marsalis
Title
Romances for Saxophone
Field / Genre
Classical
Year Recorded
1986
Label
Columbia
Pressing
Am
Rating
****
Discs
1
Media
CD
Date Bought
1 Mar 2007
Cost
¤0.00
Cover Name
—
Review
<p>Romances for Saxophone was released in 1986 by CBS Masterworks' Light Classics division. Branford Marsalis, usually known for his jazz background, asserts his mastery of the soprano saxophone on this excellent collection of romantic chamber music. Accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra, Marsalis indulges us with some of his most fervent music yet. Each piece explores a different aspect of love and romance. Vocalese, originally for the soprano voice, portray the vocal lyricism and musicality of Marsalis' soprano saxophone. The "Rachmaninoff Vocalese" is an exceptional confirmation of the mastery of tone and musicianship that defines the music Marsalis is known for. Other well-known works, such as Debussy's L'Isle Joyeuse and Stravinsky's Pastorale, brilliantly contrast the air that Marsalis has played since 1981. The French and Russian compositions add a new dimension to the young Marsalis repertoire — classical romantic.</p><p>— <b>Paula Edelstein</b></p>