February 24, 2004
Delos Diary
Delos InsiderThe few auditors who can still remember the dulcet blended tones of a first-rate barbershop quartet will surely be thrilled by the sounds made by The Italian Saxophone Quartet on a new Delos CD scheduled to be released this spring.
Saxophones come in various shapes, sizes and sound qualities ranging from soprano to tenor, alto and baritone. When all four versions of the same instrument are heard together, played by top-flight musicians, the sound can be magical… a little like overdosing on a rich caramel sundae. The Italian Saxophone Quartet is just such a group, all performers of a caliber to equal the technical skills and beautiful tone of Federico Mondelci, soprano sax, already familiar to Delos fans from his solo Piazzolla recording with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra (DE 3252).
The other three saxophonists, all with gratifying and mellifluous Italian names, are Marco Gerboni, alto; Mario Marzo, tenor; and Massimo Mazzoni, baritone.
The program of the new CD, recorded live in Verona, ranges from scrupulously clean Scarlatti and Bach to sensuous and heady Jean Françaix, Gershwin, Joplin, Piazzolla, and Nino Rota. And lots more! It's a joyous recording not to be missed (DE 3333).
February 23, 2004
Delos Diary
Delos InsiderI've written before about the peripatetic Moscow Chamber Orchestra which always plays so beautifully for Maestro Constantine Orbelian, no matter how many hours they've been on the road travelling between concert venues. Their tour schedule makes fascinating reading. During this current winter season they have managed to appear in the warmth of Orange County, Palm Springs and Lompoc, California, and follow shortly thereafter with programs in semi-tropical Florida — Palm Beach, Marathon Key, Key Largo, and Key West. Any farther south and they'd have been in Cuba.
I'm told a joke among the musicians was "which key do we play tonight?" True or not, since many do not speak English, it makes a good story.
Much of the repertoire the MCO plays on tour is available on Delos CDs. To duplicate the sensation of hearing the orchestra in Key West, get into the jacuzzi, turn up the heat and relax with Delos DE 3327.
February 20, 2004
Delos Diary
Delos InsiderA lack of really riveting music-related gossip during the post-holiday period has been called to our attention, so we have been scanning the musical news flashes to find something interesting to report. Items from the media which specialize in classical music can be pretty depressing these days: orchestras running deficits, orchestras disbanding, record retailers going bankrupt, and on and on. Nevertheless, an occasional glimmer of hope appears.
An orchestra featured on the Delos label has just inaugurated an interesting experiment. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra seems to be emulating the retail giants in its most recent pitch. From February 16 to 18, they had a half-price sale on all remaining season tickets in all categories of concerts from pop to classical. Tickets were available for a little as $7 and topped out at $39 for the best seats in the house.
Considering the caliber of this orchestra and its programs, this is a real bargain. These days when live shows hardly blink at chaging $100-plus for good seats, the New Jersey sale sounds very tempting. To sample New Jersey quality, try this recent Delos release.
