Charles Koechlin - Music for Saxophone & Piano (Federico Mondelci; Kathryn Stott)

Information

Composer: Charles Koechlin

• (01-16) 15 Etudes for Saxophone and Piano, Op. 188
• (17-22) Pieces for Saxophone and Piano, Op. 180

Federico Mondelci, saxophone
Kathryn Stott, piano
Date: 2001
Label: Chandos
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%209803

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Review

The two works here are both offered as premiere recordings, though the Pieces of Op. 180 are also known in a longer original version for horn. Koechlin was an exceptionally prolific composer but never fully appreciated in his own lifetime, and earned his living from other branches of the music profession. His work is unmistakably French in style and, despite the clear influence of both his teacher Fauré and other celebrated fellow countrymen, Koechlin developed a highly individual voice through his unique blend of tonality, atonality and modality. The 15 Études, the more substantial of the two works, contain some hauntingly beautiful passages, with long flowing lines and delicious harmonies, but was surely not intended to be heard as a complete composition and, whereas a shorter suite would emphasise the beauty, this full version rather outstays its welcome. The Seven Pieces introduce a new colour by employing a tenor saxophone in place of the more usual alto for some sections and, since all the movements are similar in both mood and tempo the change of timbre and tessitura is most effective. Federico Mondelci has a warm, mellifluous tone which suits the predominantly lyrical nature of this repertoire perfectly and, partnered by the sensitive playing of Kathryn Stott, makes clear his obvious passion for these pieces.

-- Tim Payne, BBC Music Magazine

More reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Etudes-Saxophone-Piano-Charles-Koechlin/dp/B000063BI6

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Charles Koechlin (27 November 1867 – 31 December 1950) was a French composer, teacher and writer on music. He was a political radical all his life and a passionate enthusiast for such diverse things as medieval music, The Jungle Book of Rudyard Kipling, Johann Sebastian Bach, film stars (especially Lilian Harvey and Ginger Rogers), traveling, stereoscopic photography and socialism. Koechlin was enormously prolific. Despite his lack of worldly success, Koechlin was apparently a loved and venerated figure in French music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Koechlin

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Federico Mondelci is an Italian saxophonist. His principal studies were at the Conservatorio Statale di Musica ‘G. Rossini’ in Italy and later with Jean-Marie Londeix at the Bordeaux Conservatoire, France. Mondelci has represented Italy on several occasions in the World Saxophone Congress. In Italy, he has performed as soloist and as a conductor with major orchestras. In recent seasons, Mondelci has been a frequent guest in Germany and Russia.

www.federicomondelci.com

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Kathryn Stott (born 10 December 1958) is a British classical pianist who performs as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Her specialities include the English and French classical repertoire, contemporary classical music and the tango. She teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and Chetham's School of Music, and has organised several music festivals and concert series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Stott

http://www.kathrynstott.com/biog.htm

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