Dahl Concerto
Mar/11/11 11:10 Filed in: Performing | SJSU
Once again, I’m slow to update this blog! But I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed performing the Ingolf Dahl Saxophone Concerto with the SJSU Wind Ensemble under the direction off Dr. Edward Harris last night at SJSU. It seems I perform this monumental work about once a decade and each time is more fun than the last. It continues to grow on me as for the great work it is in the musical repertoire.
Dr. Harris’ program notes included a “fun” quote from Igor Stravinsky in a discussion Dahl had as he began to write the concerto, “ I don’t know, to me a saxophone always sounds like a pink slimy worm.” Thankfully Dahl didn’t listen to his teacher and the piece was premiered on May 17, 1949 (my birthday!)
The premiere performance was a much longer work than the pared down version we did last night at SJSU after Dahl revised it in 1954. You can read a history of the revisions in Paul Cohen’s insightful analysis.
For those of you interested, here is one of my favorite recordings:
Now I’m off to practice for the upcoming SF Ballet “Chroma” rehearsals/performances!
Dr. Harris’ program notes included a “fun” quote from Igor Stravinsky in a discussion Dahl had as he began to write the concerto, “ I don’t know, to me a saxophone always sounds like a pink slimy worm.” Thankfully Dahl didn’t listen to his teacher and the piece was premiered on May 17, 1949 (my birthday!)
The premiere performance was a much longer work than the pared down version we did last night at SJSU after Dahl revised it in 1954. You can read a history of the revisions in Paul Cohen’s insightful analysis.
For those of you interested, here is one of my favorite recordings:
- Joseph Lulloff with the Michigan State University Wind Ensemble
Now I’m off to practice for the upcoming SF Ballet “Chroma” rehearsals/performances!
"Images" by David Biedenbender
Nov/14/10 12:59 Filed in: Performing
On October 19th I performed a wonderful new piece for alto saxophone and piano by David Biedenbender. The concert was part of Composers Inc 27th annual series. at Old First Church in San Francisco. I was fortunate to perform the piece with pianist Victoria DiMaggio Lington.
Images is a three movement work, each entitled Deep, Still and Wild. It has it all--fast technical excitement and an absolutely beautiful second movement.
Check out videos from the performance:
Images is a three movement work, each entitled Deep, Still and Wild. It has it all--fast technical excitement and an absolutely beautiful second movement.
Check out videos from the performance:
SJSU Alumni Sax Ensemble Concert - A Success!
Apr/12/10 10:16 Filed in: Performing | SJSU
Recapping of the concert, including the memorable prose of Robert Klimowski about Bill Trimble (1938-2010) Read More...
Sad News- Bill Trimble
Feb/28/10 11:14 Filed in: SJSU
I received word this week that Bill Trimble had passed away from a heart attack on Monday, February 22, 2010 at a Seattle area hospital. He had been ill for the past couple of years and was an amazing fighter as he went through the trials and tribulations of his fight. I spoke with his wife, Fabia yesterday and she said he had kept up his membership in the Musicians Union until last month--evidence that he was determined to keep playing and creating.
He was a pioneer in the saxophone world. Starting the first saxophone performance major on the West coast at San Jose State University, actively getting composers to write for the instrument and influencing two generations of saxophonists through his teaching. He retired from San Jose State in 2005 to a wonderful home on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Puget Sound from Seattle. I was fortunate to get to visit him there and see how happy he was with his family and new home.
He was a huge influence on my musical life--I began studies with him when I was in high school, followed by studies at San Jose State and California State University, Hayward. We have collaborated in saxophone quartets, performed in various groups like the Cabrillo Festival and San Jose Symphony together and most recently he formed the Premiere Saxophone Quartet before he retired.
The SJSU Sax Ensemble was planning to honor Bill and his legacy at SJSU in a Sax Ensemble Alumni Concert on April 10, 2010. We will now honor Bill at this concert by memorializing his musicianship, leadership and influence as a teacher and musician at the concert. If you have any stories you would like to share or as an alumni would like to participate in the concert, please email me.
He was an important part of my life and I will miss him greatly.
R.I.P. Bill!
Bill’s bio
He was a pioneer in the saxophone world. Starting the first saxophone performance major on the West coast at San Jose State University, actively getting composers to write for the instrument and influencing two generations of saxophonists through his teaching. He retired from San Jose State in 2005 to a wonderful home on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Puget Sound from Seattle. I was fortunate to get to visit him there and see how happy he was with his family and new home.
He was a huge influence on my musical life--I began studies with him when I was in high school, followed by studies at San Jose State and California State University, Hayward. We have collaborated in saxophone quartets, performed in various groups like the Cabrillo Festival and San Jose Symphony together and most recently he formed the Premiere Saxophone Quartet before he retired.
The SJSU Sax Ensemble was planning to honor Bill and his legacy at SJSU in a Sax Ensemble Alumni Concert on April 10, 2010. We will now honor Bill at this concert by memorializing his musicianship, leadership and influence as a teacher and musician at the concert. If you have any stories you would like to share or as an alumni would like to participate in the concert, please email me.
He was an important part of my life and I will miss him greatly.
R.I.P. Bill!
Bill’s bio