Xenon Saxophone Quartet, Sergey Markin – Symphonic Dances (2024) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Xenon Saxophone Quartet, Sergey Markin – Symphonic Dances (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 57:43 minutes | 901 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © GWK Records

Intensity of feeling and drama, joy of playing and energy: on its second album Symphonic Dances, the Cologne-based Xenon Saxophone Quartet presents a rich palette of emotions and a different facet of musical expression with each work. In the eponymous Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninoff, in which the quartet is expanded to include the pianist Sergey Markin, the five play to the full the “Russian soul” of Rachmaninoff. Their recording of Franck’s Prélude, Fugue et Variation brings the almost mystical character of the work to life, and in Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles, their profound avant-garde modernity becomes clear. The recordings are based on Franck and Rachmaninoff’s new arrangements. In its arrangement of Rachmaninoff’s late romantic Symphonic Dances, an outstanding work of orchestral literature for saxophone, which the composer himself arranged for two pianos, the ensemble succeeds in translating the power and emotional intensity of the orchestral original into its chamber music version. In Franck’s version, the Xenon Quartet takes its cue from his version for organ and translates it almost word for word for saxophones, but expands it to include dynamics and sound developments that are difficult to achieve on an organ. Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles are recorded in Fabian Oehrli’s well-known arrangement, authorized by the composer. In their passionate passages, the Xenon Saxophone Quartet confidently and captivatingly tests the limits of ensemble playing.

Tracklist:

01. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: I. (Non) Allegro (12:05)
02. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) (09:47)
03. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45: III. Lento assai – Allegro vivace (13:44)
04. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Franck: Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18: I. Prélude (03:33)
05. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Franck: Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18: 2. Lent, Fugue, Variation (Andantino) (06:17)
06. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: I. Allegro con spirito (01:09)
07. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: 2. Rubato – Lamentoso (03:37)
08. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: 3. Allegro grazioso (02:44)
09. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: 4. Presto ruvido (00:57)
10. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: 5. Adagio. Mesto (Béla Bartók in memoriam) (02:30)
11. Xenon Saxophone Quartet & Sergey Markin – Ligeti: Six bagatelles: 6. Molto vivace – Capriccioso (01:20)

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