Nine Pieces for Five Players:
Quirk Saxophone Quartet with Richard Ingham
Nine Pieces for Five Players was launched on the 8th October here
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Nine Pieces for Five Players was originally commissioned by and written for the Plume Quintet. The original wind quintet version was later rewritten as a saxophone quintet, becoming essentially a standard SATB quartet with additional soprano. Five of the movements highlight each of the players in turn.
1 (1.26)
Insistent, relentless tutti movement concludes with a more relaxed melodic coda.
2 (2.31)
This soprano feature opens with a free solo introduction. After a duo interruption the soprano leaps into a soaring melody over an undulating accompaniment. The duo reappears briefly and the movement closes.
3 (2.27)
A period jazz piece, exploiting the timbres and range of the alto. A lilting and occasionally provocative accompaniment from the others.
4 (1.29)
A simple bossa nova groove with tunes.
5 (1.34)
This funky baritone feature is a virtuosic tour de force. Some punchy backings complete the package.
6 (2.50)
This time the tenor is highlighted in a sultry ballad with lightest of accompaniments. A brief atmospheric outro and it’s over.
7 (5.54)
Sunset at the West Sands is an abstract soundscape, conjuring up an evening on the West Sands, St Andrews. Slow moving chords meet each other and separate, before a surprising tune appears from the depths. Some slightly disturbing disintegration before abstract chords close the piece.
8 (1.38)
Kingsbarns Reel features the soprano in a reel with Shetland swing. Ceilidh band unisons appear, Irish pipes are heard under the inventive and driving jazz solo, then a mad scamper finish leads into...
9 (1.40)
The finale is a light-hearted take on wind chamber music, combined with a hoe-down. Complete breakdown in the middle then flourish and out.
