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ACO On The Pier

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A portrait of American Saxophonist Branford Marsalis

DIVE IN: Branford Marsalis

Posted on 24 Aug 2018 by Bernard Rofe

PIAZZOLLA The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires was original composed for his quintet of violin, piano, electric guitar, double bass and bandoneón. The work refers to the seasonal changes in the composer’s hometown of Buenos Aires, while at the same time harking back to Vivaldi’s famous concertos, even quoting them.

SALLY BEAMISH Under the Wing of the Rock: Saxophone Concerto No.2

Under the Wing of the Rock is inspired by Celtic song and the poem ‘Lullaby of the Snow’ by Alexander Carmichael. In the poem, a young mother is singing to her child while fleeing the massacre at Glencoe. An officer is dispatched to kill the crying child but, by the mercy of God, the mother and child survive. The viola version of Under the Wing of the Rock was given its Australian premiere by the ACO and Caroline Henbest.

GINASTERA Concerto for Strings

Composed in 1965, Ginastera’s Concerto for Strings is rooted in Argentine folk dance and song. Its four movements present a feverish, dizzying challenge to its performers as listeners are taken on a ride from dances to Bartókian furiosity.

Branford Marsalis

In addition to his rich jazz heritage, Branford Marsalis is a renowned virtuoso of classical saxophone music. Watch Marsalis perform Muczynski’s Saxophone Sonata with pianist and composer Sally Beamish, whose own saxophone concerto will feature in our program.