News and reviews

 

 

The regular lunchtime concert series at Wolfson College features a wide range of chamber groups and performers.  On this occasion, the audience were clearly expecting something a little bit different, and from the number of people in the hall, and the buzz of reaction afterwards, they were not disappointed.  With a musical presentation which introduced the the audience to the varied voices of the saxophone, including soprano, alto, baritone and electronic instruments, the repertoire also reflected the verstality of the saxophone family of instruments. The works ranged from the traditional, exemplified by late 19th centry 'bel canto' style of Bellini's Oboe Concerto finding a comfortable fit on the Nicola Pennill's oboe-like soprano saxophone, to Ellington's 'In a Sentimental Mood', conceived by the great jazz musician Michael Brecker and played on electronic wind instrument by Alistair Parnell.

 

Judging from the audience reaction, many were surprised by the range of sounds and the adaptability of the instruments, and the enthusiastic applause and call for an encore item at the end of the concert reflected their appreciation.