Today's Tuesday concert at the Church of the Epiphany was a performance by the Washington Saxophone Quartet. I had never heard them before, although the same four men have been performing for 30 years together. Except for one mistaken piece (a medley of songs from West Side Story, which was very ordinary), the concert was enlightening and uplifting.
Who knew that four saxes, playing a Bach toccata could sound like a powerful pipe organ? Or playing an Argentinian tango, could sound like a dance band? Or playing the Danse Boheme from Carmen, could sound like an entire wind ensemble?
The instruments are soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. Three of the members are present for former U.S. Army Band members. They teach; they concertize.
They also perform the theme song on NPR's All Things Considered, and asked composer Thomas Albert to write a piece for them which is a series of variations on that simple theme. They call it Anonymous Fame.
They have a website, www.wsaxq.com, at which you can download and hear several short excerpts from their two cds, which will give you a taste of what I have heard. You can also see their upcoming schedule.
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