Saxophone master in Bangkok debut

Bulletin

February 19, 2007 from The Nation (Thailand) by Thanong Khanthong (abridged)

Not many saxophonists can undertake a successful solo career as it’s tough to make it onto centre stage. But over the last twenty years, Italian-born Federico Mondelci has carved a niche for himself as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation.
On February 19, 2007, Bangkokians had a very rare opportunity to listen to Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto featuring Mondelci as the soloist. It is a beautiful concerto written in 1930 with Russian style in three connected movements toward the end of Glazunov’s career in Paris. Mondelci played the alto saxophone for this 14-minute concerto.
Mondelci made his Bangkok debut at the Thailand Cultural Centre on February 19 with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra under the internationally renowned conductor Constantine Orbelian. The concert was part of A Tribute to the Supreme Artists in the Great Artists of the World series, which marks His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday this year.
Mondelci has collaborated with Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra for dozens of concerts. Orbelian’s wife heard Mondelci play the saxophone and was very impressed with his performance. She asked her husband to listen to Mondelci, but it took about three years before Orbelian had a chance to do so. Ever since, Mondelci has been frequently invited to perform with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
Mondelci has represented Italy at the World Saxophone Festival in Germany, Japan, the United States and Spain. In Italy, he has been a soloist with all the major orchestras, including Milan’s Philharmonic Orchestra of La Scala under Seiji Ozawa. He now frequently performs in Russia. His CD Piazzolla Tangos on Delos (DE 3252) with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and Orbelian was a New York Times pick of the week.
Today many composers are devoting their music to this wonderful instrument, which is also a favourite of His Majesty the King. With the growing popularity of the saxophone, Thailand will be hosting a saxophone symposium in 2009.
What makes Mondelci different from other saxophone artists is that he makes his saxophone sing. “When I play the saxophone, I have a special feeling for it. I like to sing with my saxophone, which has a vocal character,” he said.