American Saxophone Quartet

INFORMATION
American Saxophone Quartet
Albert Regni
Spanning the River [CD]
Gandy Dancer [CD]
El Amor [CD]
02/07/99 Concert
03/05/99 Concert
Larry Combs

The arrangement of the set of three keyboard sonatas by Scarlatti is a very good example of the kind of transcription that makes one forget the original. The saxes sound surprisingly at home in both the bouncy, imitative textures of the two fast sonatas and in the gentle lyricism of the slow one. The Quartet by David Richard Matthews is a moody work in three movements. While there is some good, strong thematic material and some impressive virtuoso writing, there is an occasional tendency to go for an effect, which makes the work seem to ramble. But Matthews masterfully exploits the capabilities of the instruments, demonstrating in particular the versatility of the saxophone family and its wide gamut of sound, from the flutelike fragility of the upper registers to the vibrant sonorities of the lower octaves. Piazzolla arrangements show up everywhere nowadays and for good reason: The music is tuneful, interesting, and very flexible. But the arrangements of these four pieces seem quite spare, lacking the sensuous texture that makes this music really work. Bob Mintzer's quartet exploits the well-known pop and jazz side of the saxophone in a brief three-movement work. The piece has some appealing, often quirky ideas and a good tune in the middle of its jumpy finale.

The four performers who make up this quartet are excellent individually and also work together very nicely, producing a pleasing sound and a tight ensemble. But the recorded sound -- rather dry and lacking in depth -- is not very flattering. Although it lends clarity to the inner voices of the quartet, it lacks warmth, a quality that would, I think, help the Piazzolla pieces in particular. Still saxophone fans will find a lot to like here, especially the first-rate musicianship and the interesting repertoire.

Richard Burke

Fanfare September/October 1999 p.430

©1999 Fanfare. Used by permission.

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