Percy Grainger (Australian-American) and Henry Cowell (American) were forward-looking, pioneering composers and close friends. These two men had so much in common, musically and personally, that it is almost as if they were mirror images of one another. Besides having classical training and folk music influences, both were also musical avant-gardists. They experimented with new sounds, new forms of expression, and new notational systems. Most of their saxophone pieces are either folk arrangements or original compositions inspired by British and Celtic folk music. Cowell and Grainger created a rich repertoire for the classical saxophone, but much of it is overlooked, only partially published, and therefore widely unknown until this CD.
22 works are included, 9 by Grainger, 7 by Cowell and 5 by Cowell as arranged by Grainger. Many are first recordings. They are scored for varied instrumentation : sax ensembles, sax & piano and sax & orchestra. Two works are presented in two versions, both for sax piano and sax & orchestra, performed here by the Glens Falls Symphony conducted by Charles Peltz. The uniquely scored pieces are the first recording of Cowell’s Chrysanthemums (1937), a short song for soprano & small ensemble and Cowell’s first chamber music piece featuring saxophones. It was thought to be lost but was rediscovered in 2003. Grainger’s Random Rounds (1912) is technically not a piece for saxes, but is too important a work to leave out. It is a composition for unspecified, soloistic chamber ensemble and probably the first aleatoric piece ever in the history of Western music. Written for flexible instrumentation, it is performed here by a large ensemble including 3 singers, 2 guitars, mandolin, piano, percussion, winds and strings.
Saxophonist/composer Ulrich Krieger lived and worked in Berlin since 1983, then moved to work from CalArts University. His arrangement of Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music lead to a touring ensemble with Mr. Reed. He has recorded many records for Mode of Bryars, Berio, Cage and his own works.
Percy Grainger (1882–1961), “The Immovable Do” (1939), “Lisbon” ( 3 versions: July – low key with 3 altos; August – high key; July – low key with soprano) (1943). “Ye Banks and Braes O Bonnie Doon” (1932). “The Lonely Desert-Man Sees the Tents of the Happy Tribes” (versions with orchestra and with piano) (1949). “The Merry King” (1936-39). “Molly on the Shore” (1938). “Random Round” (1912-14/43).
Henry Cowell (1897–1965), “Air and Scherzo” (versions with piano & with orchestra) (1961). “Sailor’s Hornpipe” (1949). “Hymn and Fuguing Tune Nr.18” (1964). “Caoine” (arranged Grainger, ca.1937/38). “Sax Quartet” (1961). “60 – For Percy Grainger” (1942). “Chrysanthemums” (1937).