Kyiv saxophone quartet. Bravo, Sax! (Triptych). /digi-pack/

I think that this triple disk will at one go tell you about the saxophone more than you have ever known – unless you studied it as a separate discipline. Exactly 160 years ago, in 1846, Antoine Sax patented his invention. Probably, he was proud of himself – but could he envisage that his baby will become the instrument of the music revolution? I don’t think I exaggerate. In fact, at first, as in the case of the clarinet, the saxophone sound was considered somewhat sharp, if not vulgar. But – very soon it was already introduced into the structure of a classic orchestra. What first appeared as a bold experiment, very quickly became widespread practice. And already in 1857, J. B. Singelée writes the "First Quartet" for 4 saxophones. And – then it started. Then... Then jazz came, and again the saxophone found itself on the edge of advance-guard, in the center of search and birth of completely new music. On the one hand, it is no longer possible to imagine swing without it, on the other – in those very years, at the beginning of the 20th century, composers write very special, modern music for it. Its voice allows bold experiments – and experiments become bolder and bolder. Bop begins, cool jazz develops – free jazz is already approaching, and this process continues until now... In skilful hands, it is capable of anything. The triptych "Bravo, Sax!" is called to prove it – and it copes with the task very convincingly. There is the whole palette. The first disk is classic composer's music, author works and arrangements of folk melodies. Here, Henry Purcell is a neighbor of Bach, Bortnyansky, Singelée – a wonderful company. Actually, you could come across the album "Just Before..." that includes these works here before, as a separate release. The second disk is the above-mentioned modern author music, fruits of free searches and bold experiments. One cannot deny that this music layer has considerably extended the creative and professional range of the saxophone. I think, it is possible to assert that it is in this field that classic and jazz schools first seriously met. Met, interlaced, enriched each other – and went beyond their own borders. And till now they continue to move. Well, and the third part of the release – it is, actually, jazz in various displays. World-famous masterpieces – blues, ragtime, themes known to anyone. And they are performed impeccably. Delicately? Yes. Delicately enough to look simple. Interesting? You bet. It is a very bright release. Well, in the end, the design – here it also plays far not the least part. Actually, you see yourself: it is a present design, which it is not only pleasant to take in your hands – you won’t want to let it out. The quality of the material, and the very idea, and the contents quality – all are at a high level. It is worth being proud of such release – and it is not a shame to present with it the most whimsical connoisseurs of history, art, and beauty.

Anton Jozhik Leyba (Hedgehog)