Simply Gifts

On this CD:

1. Sonata for alto saxophone & piano
Composed by Stephen Dankner

2. Lento drammatico, for saxophone & piano
Composed by Zdenek Lukas

3. Angels, for saxophone & piano
Composed by Stephen Suber

4. Preludes (5) for saxophone & piano
Composed by Robert Starer

5. Dance suite for violin, alto saxophone & piano
Composed by Walter S. Hartley

Simply Gifts, Music, Stephen Dankner, Walter S. Hartley, Zdenek Lukas, Robert Starer, Stephen Suber, Lois Leventhal, Chamber, Chamber Music, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers

Average customer rating:

Uneven, yet daring and beautiful performances

American Record Guide review

simly gifts, Gwozdz

simly gifts, Gwozdz

Simply Gifts

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004RJ2L
Release Date: 2000-03-28

Customer Reviews:

Uneven, yet daring and beautiful performances.......2000-10-26

The performances by Gwozdz, Leventhal, and Redfield are wonderful. The Dankner sonata and the Lukas "Lento drammatico" are the highlights of the disc, while the remaining three pieces do not equal the musical caliber of their predecessors. Overall, it remains a bold list of some fine works by little-heard composers. (Point: The Dankner, although tonal, is by no means "very, very conservative". The finale in particular reminds me of Bartok, not Mozart.)

American Record Guide review.......2000-08-30

Review appearing in The American Record Guide, September/October issue, p. 289:

SIMPLY GIFTS DANKNER: Sonata; LUKAS: Lento Drammatico; SUBER: Angels; STARER: Preludes; HARTLEY: Dance Suite Lawrence Gwozdz, sax; Lois Leventhal, piano; Stephen Redfield, violin -- Albany 378 -- 59 minutes.

"Stephen Dankner's music is very, very traditional. Most of it is in an uninflected tonal idiom and uses tonal forms. His Sonata for sax and piano is no different. He has command of his idiom... and knows the instruments well.... Zdednek Lukas's Lento Drammatico lives up to its name -- it is slow and dramatic. The basic texture and style of the piece is recitative, giving both instruments opportunities for expressive statements. This work would make a valuable addition to the recital repertoire. The high point of the program is Stephen Suber's two-movement Angels, an introspective, brooding, and sometimes lyrical meditation. Its melodic and harmonic turns constantly surprise the listener in subtle ways, making for a rewarding musical experience; even a gratuitous fast section at the end does not break the spell. Veteran composers Robert Starer and Walter Hartley turn in solid pieces with the Five Preludes and the Dance Suite. Saxophonist Lawrence Gwozdz is a strong and sensitive performer. He is ably accompanied by pianist Lois Leventhal. Violinist Stephen Redfield joins them in a lively performance of the Hartley. Albany's sound is very good."

Stephen Hickman

simly gifts, Gwozdz.......2000-06-13

gwozdz, is a fantastic musician! one of the best recording saxophonists i the field! he knows what the saxophone should be!

simly gifts, Gwozdz.......2000-06-13

gwozdz, is a fantastic musician! one of the best recording saxophonists i the field! he knows what the saxophone should be!

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