Gerard McChrystal new album "ARIA" on First Hand Records / classical SAXOPHONE Bozza

GERARD McCHRYSTAL "Aria" FHR13 (First Hand Records)

"Aria" has just been named by Classic FM as one of the best albums of 2011!

You can purchase this CD direct from First Hand Records: www.firsthandrecords.com

This brilliantly devised CD from Gerard McChrystal is a deeply personal album; at times haunting, the music is always beautiful and captivating. Indeed, Aria has similar qualities to Jan Gabarek's Officium (which sold 1.4 million copies) and will appeal to this fan-base. Featuring soprano and alto saxophone with a colourful array of different ensemble accompaniments — string orchestra, choir, guitar, piano, solo, string quartet and electronics. Baroque music blends seamlessly with contemporary; Handel resolves into Michael Nyman, Debussy's Syrinx morphs into Ravel's Piece en forme de habanera. All the tracks lead to the next by key or by starting and ending on the same note. Other works include Philip Glass Façades, Faure Les Berceaux, Bozza Aria, as well as original works by Billy Cowie, Karen Tanaka, Andy Scott and Michael McGlynn (from the vocal group Anúna who featured in Riverdance). Accompanying Gerard on this album are some of the UK's finest classical musicians including the Smith Quartet and the No. 1 best-selling classical artist, guitarist Craig Ogden.

Gerard McChrystal is a multi-award winning saxophonist who has performed as a soloist in over 30 countries with many of the World's leading orchestras and ensembles.

Aria - Press:
David Mellor (Classic FM): "a real unexpected joy...wonderfully well played with extraordinary tone...I love the way Gerard McChrystal sounds...I absolutely love it...well done Gerard McChrystal"

The Independent: ****

Category:

Music

Tags:

• saxophone
• classical
• gerard mcchrystal
• michael nyman
• philip glass
• craig ogden
• anuna
• michael mcglynn
• first hand
• billy cowie
• smith quartet
• syrinx
• karen tanaka
• ireland
• trinity college
• jan garbarek
• officium

[bencapon]

A great album which really does justice to and honours the saxophone. Gerard has THE soprano sound, and the album has a good mix of beautiful alto and soprano playing accompanied by some fabulous musicians. There is such creativity and honesty in this music.

[takeitupthesitar]

Wow! What a fantastic sound.

[Doppleganger123]

This is great playing. The whole album is stunning album on many levels. I'd be very surprised if this cd isnt sucessful (I already have a copy). Thank you for making this cd.

[Suesarts]

Gerard plays so beautifully and this is a lovely selection of music. Buy the album to hear more tracks and enjoy the way they are sequenced.

[osirissal]

Good cd! Thanks!