Improvising Soloist, Drumkit & Orchestra | Solo part in Bb includes the occasional written fragment with the bulk of the work being made up of chord symbols for the improvising soloist.
Tenor Saxophone / Drum Kit soli + 2(pic:pic).2.2([Ebcl]).2 / 4.3.3.1 / timp.3perc /str
This is an unusual concerto in that the majority of the two concertante parts consist of instructions for directed improvisation. Omnifenix was written for the particular skills of legendary tenor player Michael Brecker. In the words of a reviewer present at the premiere in Bologna, Italy, in August 2000, it ‘achieves a compelling synthesis of the jazz and art music streams, and allows plenty of space for the individuality of the saxophone soloist to shine. The drum set player functions as a translator, both reinforcing the bottom end of the orchestra as well as responding to the soloist.’
Premiered by Michael Brecker (tsx), Orchestra Sinfonica dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Toscanini’, Marcello Rota (cond), 2 August 2000.
View from Olympus - John Psathas (Rattle 2007)
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