Noda, Ryo - Murasaki No Fuchi 1
This explosive 1981 duet from Ryo Noda is typical of Noda's ouvre in general. False fingerings, microtones, graphic score elements, improvisation and multiphonics are all major features of the piece. The blend between the saxophones is ethereal, with harmonics interacting in a very dense and unnerving way. An extended soft microtonal section follows the opening. There is something slightly wearing for saxophone players when they hear these recycled multiphonics which are so very familiar to them. I would probably be far more interested in say bassoon, clarinet or trombone multiphonics. The problem with Noda and Lauba is that their music is often written for saxophonists, played by saxophonists and listened to by saxophonists. The genre is an echo-chamber for itself and the composers are not widely known or regarded outside of the specialist saxophone course or congress 'scene' if we may speak of such. The piece is a great technical challenge and the trills, repeated motifs, screams and semi-improvised moments are very impressive. Sometimes it feels though these pieces are little more than technical studies, and also feels undermined by the variety of saxophone substitution options available (soprano, alto, tenor).
The piece was written for Frederick Hemke and shakuhachi player Hozan Yamamoto. One of the parts may be performed on shakuhachi rather than saxophone. This fact probably should inform the performance of the part on saxophone, if that choice is made.
The piece was written for Frederick Hemke and shakuhachi player Hozan Yamamoto. One of the parts may be performed on shakuhachi rather than saxophone. This fact probably should inform the performance of the part on saxophone, if that choice is made.