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While searching through many books about music (or, at least, placed in the "music" section) at a local book store, I happened across a book called Celebrating the Saxophone, by Paul Lindemeyer. What appeared to be no more than a coffee table book, judging by its cover and size, is a very nice reference book on a wide range of saxophone topics. Thus, once again, proving the maxim: you can't judge a book by its cover!
One of the main assets of this book is all of its pictures. There are pictures of four original Sax-made saxes. A police-style line-up of the saxes (from sopranino to contrabass) with a height scale on the side. Now you can see how your horn sizes up to its relatives (and, which saxes yours will fit in.) Some pictures of interesting experimentations, such as a one-handed tenor and a mezzo-soprano sax in F. Many great pictures of early sax groups, pioneers, bands, ads, etc. There's a great photo on page 44: Lou Gehrig plugging his ears, as Babe Ruth blows his "agonizing alto." And my favorite picture is a sketch of Adolphe Sax playing his own creation. This book also traces the history of Mr. Sax. From his birth on November 6, 1814, as the son of the instrument maker to the king of The Netherlands, to his death on February 4, 1894. And there are many interesting facts in between. He was born Antoine-Joseph Sax, but called Adolphe. He built his own clarinet at 14, and was quickly winning competitions with it. The first sax was a bass sax pitched in C. Sax himself played the new instrument at its premier. And his downfall, when his patents expired in the 1860s, and his fortune dwindled and his instrument factory (a jewel in its heyday) went bankrupt. He spent his final years as a bandmaster at the Paris Opera. This book then traces the saxophone's infusion into popular culture. Through instrument makers, composer, soloists, and ensembles, the saxophone is brought into American and world spotlight. The first star soloist: Edouard Lefèbre (1834-1911), a french alto player. The first American company to mass produce instruments: that of Colonel C. G. Conn. The lady who was responsible for the breakthrough into non-band music (that is, more 'classical' and symphonic sounding music): Elise Boyer Hall. While recovering from typhoid fever in the early 1900s, she learned the saxophone. Being high up in Boston society, she commissioned works by such composers as Debussy to play at her salon evenings. Ms. Hall brought a new voice (a 'classical' sounding saxophone) to America and the world.
The copyright of the article Celebrate "Celebrating the Saxophone" in Saxophones is owned by . Permission to republish Celebrate "Celebrating the Saxophone" in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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