This vibrant concert showcases a novel combination of instruments. Trio Élan is an electrifying ensemble made up of three of New Zealand’s leading chamber musicians: violinist Donald Armstrong, saxophonist Simon Brew and pianist Sarah Watkins.
Trio Élan’s unusual line-up creates evocative sounds, catchy contemporary rhythms and soaring melodies. So prepare to be enchanted and entertained by this exciting programme of colourful jazz-infused music from France, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina and the United States.
Photo: Supplied
Recorded by RNZ at St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington on 4 April 2021.
Produced by Darryl Stack with technical assistance from Steve Burridge.
RUSSELL PETERSON Trio for Alto Sax, Violin and Piano
American composer Russ Peterson makes fantastic extended use of the saxophone’s altissimo register in this jazz-infused piece– notes that begin, and go way above, where the normal fingering charts of a saxophone end. Altissimo notes are a trademark of Peterson’s style.
PETER LILEY Deux Images
New Zealand saxophonist and sound artist, Peter Liley, composes in all kinds of different musical styles including classical, ambient, experimental and electronic. This piece explores the possibilities of repeating and alternating tiny fragments of musical material.
ALBENIZ Evocacion
Evocación by Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz was written in the final years of his life. It’s a reminiscence of his homeland that combines elements of exuberant traditional music from both the north and south of Spain.
BARRY COCKROFT Beat Me
If parts of Beat Me by Australian composer and saxophonist, Barry Cockcroft, sound familiar, it's because Cockroft explored the use of slap tonguing to imitate the famous bass guitar progression in Jimi Hendrix’s Wild Thing.
DEBUSSY Violin Sonata in G minor
Violinist Donald Armstrong and pianist Sarah Watkins perform Violin Sonata in G minor, the final work Claude Debussy ever wrote. Despite suffering from a terminal illness and depression, Debussy himself described that final movement as one “filled with tumultuous joy”. And it would be hard to disagree.
MARC EYCHENNE Cantilene and Dance
Cantilène and Dance by Algerian-born French composer Marc Eychenne is a joyfully, spiky ‘dance’ full of brilliant syncopated energy.
FARR (arr Keith Moss) Tango Un Verano de Passion
Gareth Farr’s Tango: Un Verano de Passion was originally written for a smouldering scene between a stripper and a choreographer in the New Zealand television series, The Strip. But this version was especially arranged for Trio Élan by Keith Moss.
