Saxophone concert

On Wednesday 4th February in Brodick Church, a good-sized audience was privileged to hear the Royal Conservatoire Saxophone Quartet. The young group played all four of the most common types of saxophone, namely, the soprano (played by Richard Schofield aged 18), the alto (Aidan Teplitzky, 19), the tenor (Rory Simons, 19) and the baritone (Arran’s own Iain Clarke, 17). Iain is still at Arran High School but attends the Junior Conservatoire of Scotland on Saturdays for both piano and saxophone tuition. The Quartet got together in the Junior Conservatoire in 2013 and has played at a number of charity events as well as a lunchtime concert recital at Leeds College of Music.

The Brodick recital opened impressively with the saxophonists playing Ravel’s Bolero as the players entered the church from three different doorways. Then followed a mixed and well-balanced programme, with works by Mozart, the American composer Warren Barker, the Russian composer Mussorgsky, the English Gordon Jacob and the American George Gershwin, together with traditional folk songs. In many cases, the pieces had been arranged for four saxophones by the players themselves.

The Warren Barker piece, Voici le Quatuor, was particularly interesting. It comprised four movements, each one dominated by a different instrument, which gave each player the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of his instrument.

The recital concluded with George Gershwin’s Three Preludes, arranged for the quartet though they were written originally for piano. Being Gershwin, there was a jazz influence which left everyone feeling upbeat – a good note to end on

The quartet had only limited opportunities to practise together, and yet the playing was of an extremely high standard. The balance was consistently good, with all members showing an awareness of each other, and the fact that they clearly enjoyed making music was conveyed to the audience. The Quartet performed with exceptional professionalism in every respect, including each member taking his turn to introduce the items.

A very appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed these young and very talented musicians, and if, as seems possible, they return at some time in the future, they can be assured of a great reception.

The concert was repeated in Shiskine Church on Thursday 5th February.