Cinq danses exotiques by Jean Françaix

Cinq danses exotiques by Jean Francaix (1912-1997).

I. Pambiche
II. Baiao
III. Mambo
IV. Samba lenta
V. Merengue

Carl Banner, piano; Rhonda Buckley, alto saxophone.

Washington Musica Viva concert, February 11, 2007.

http://www.dcmusicaviva.org

Category:

Music

Tags:

• alto
• saxophone
• sax
• French
• classical
• chamber
• music
• Francaix

[PaulWehage]

I knew Françaix and played this piece with him. Your articulations are not nearly as precise and dry as he wanted. It has to almost be slap touguing. The tempi (except for the samba, which is exactly right, except the unmarked pause) are all too slow. To make this work, you've got to think as if you're just another finger on the pianist's hand.

[washingtonmusicaviva]

Dear Paul,

Fascinating! I am so pleased and honored to hear from you. I will forward your comment to Rhonda.

Best wishes,

Carl

[themasterkavar]

Very well played. It's one of my favorite pieces, and I almost never hear it played. The Pambiche, Biaio, Samba Lenta, and Merengue were excellent. I think the Mambo should be played faster, but still, great playing on it. Great tone and intonation!

[washingtonmusicaviva]

Thanks! This was a lot of fun - we hope to play it again soon. Maybe try the Mambo faster (but it's hard for the piano-player!)

Carl

[annastrongx]

Ah I wish I could play these this fast! Such lovely pieces but very hard! Especially for a 14 year old like me haha!

[runenoob01]

i'm playing Pambiche, Baiao and Samba Lenta for my grade 8 saxophone exam, and i really got an idea of how the song goes like, thank you very much.

RSK, from Hong Kong

[DeviMaltiMillan]

Francaix de ninguna forma es un compositor importante, pero ustedes hacen algo interesante adaptando los tiempos de estas danzas, gracias por la propuesta y por no permitir que los mitos de las velocidades vertiginosas destruyan aún más, la poca calidad que tienen las danzas por si mismas.

[Tubatoofpaste]

Thank you for posting this great performance. Wish we could play it like this. [The sax player is hampered by this poor accompanist.]

[2fat2die]

You played it very well!

At this Moment I´m playing those pieces,too.

Espiacially The Pambiche is very hard :-P

Greets from Germany

[PaulWehage]

It's more a question of lightness of articulation. Short, precise and centered tone will help that. If you get the articulations right, you should be able to play this much faster!

[PaulWehage]

It's on Erol, a small French lable. You should be able to find it on Itunes The recording also has Schubert, Chabrier and the Ballet Schola di Ballo. (Sorry to take a year to respond!)

[sophiibbz]

im playing this for my grade 8 saxophone, this is the best recording i have found so far so thanks very much (:

[qwerty1237975]

thnx for this, good to hear someone - got grade 6 exam in couple of weeks

[musthesp5]

oh dear! not the best recording of this out there! I agree about it being slow - she's still got some of the rhythms wrong! I know it's a bit sad but the ABRSM have a good recording of this!