Sounds Like Now

A blog by saxophonist Brian Sacawa

Dance and romance

February 9, 2007 at 11:04 pm · Filed under Blog: Winter 06, Classical Music, Performances, Saxophone, Travel

I’m in Roanoke, VA this weekend performing with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. In honor of Valentine’s Day, our program is titled Dance and Romance and features its fair share of saxophone. (Because what instrument’s more romantic than saxophone? Really?) Truth be told, it’s the most playing I’ve ever done on a single orchestra gig. Two by Bernsteinâ€”perennial favorite Symphonic Dances from West Side Story coupled with hidden gem On the Townâ€”along with the amorous Bolero by Ravel, in which I play both the tenor and soprano parts. I normally don’t have a problem with nerves on any concert I play, but having only 5 beats rest to put down the tenor and pick up the soprano and play both lines equally beautifully is seriously challenging my nervousness-free performance record. Not to mention having to have the perfect reed for three horns at the same timeâ€”actually, check that, because I need to have all four horns (add baritone) ready to go because of an upcoming concert in NYC. More on that later. I need to deflate.

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3 Comments »

Joe wrote @ February 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pm

Can you hire an assistant reed-sucker?

Jiyoung wrote @ February 13th, 2007 at 8:38 am

Speaking of romance and the saxophone, have you heard the Branford Marsalis interview on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! (12/24/2006)?

Branford Marsalis in response to the question to confirm the rumor of “the ladies like the saxophone”

“…look at all the movies! As soon as the guy gets near the woman, what do you hear? The saxophone. There’s a reason for that!…I had to switch to the saxophone because you can get women with a saxophone…you play it and women go - ooh I like the saxophone…”

They continue to make fun of lack of romance in playing the oboe and accordian.

Lauren wrote @ February 14th, 2007 at 10:51 am

You did an amazing job this weekend. If you were nervous I certainly couldn’t tell! I like the suggestion of the assistant reed-sucker… how much does that pay? Anyway- It was great to meet and hang out with you. I hope our paths cross again sometime soon.