FEATURES OF THE ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONCERTO FOR SAXOPHONE SHAMS BY JEAN-DENIS MICHAT: THE CASE OF THOMAS KURTZ'S PERFORMANCE WITH AN ORCHESTRA OF SAXOPHONES

Abstract

The article examines the characteristic features of the ensemble performance of Jean-Denis Michat’s Saxophone Concerto Shams by the American saxophonist Thomas Kurtz with an orchestra of saxophones. The article emphasizes the interpretative features of the performance and indicates that the special nature of the ensemble interpretation lies in the composition of the orchestra: 11 saxophones (from bass saxophone to soprano) instead of 11 string and wind instruments, which leads to a special artistic reading and performance of the work. The article argues that combining a solo saxophone part with the accompaniment of an ensemble of saxophones is carried out due to the related timbral sound and specific saxophone touches, which creates a new sound of the Concerto and emphasizes its unique flavor. The search and reproduction of modern means of musical expressiveness and imitation of the manner of virtuoso playing characterizes the modern stage performance practice of a saxophonist. From the perspective of forming a modern instrumental performance style, this concert significantly contributes to enriching and embodying instrumental music’s artistic and symbolic world, strengthening its dramatic nature and enhancing the thematic content. The features of the style of ensemble concert performance of the 21st century are exciting reading for a modern saxophonist. These are, first of all, technical complexity, emotional expressiveness, and concert brightness.