Fabian Faccio, Argentine pianist, and Anders Lundegård, Swedish classical saxophonist, presented a rousing and fiery all-Piazzolla tango performance, blending together seamlessly.
John Bentel,
The State Magazine, U.S. Department of State.
The [Partita
in a minor for flute by J.S. Bach ] work was performed in a stylistically accurate way with correct melodic
shape, nuances and phrasing, à la Baroque. Anders managed to
create something one calls “hidden counterpoint,” an old trick that involves
the soloist handing his instrument in a specific way, manages to get the
audience to perceive two separate melodies instead of one.....
Its [Edvard Grieg’s Sonata for Violin
and piano op. 45]
performance was proof of the two musician’s sensibility, feeling for poetry,
style and correct instrumental balance. The concert’s ‘exotic’ guest Myriam
Avalos proved to be a pianist of high caliber, both as an accompanist
and as a soloist. She managed to give support to the saxophones plastic
motion and thereby enhance its expressiveness....
She, as well as her partner, shows great musical promise, as they are
well on their way to realize the dream of becoming the muse Musica’s humble
servants.
The duo finished the concert with Astor Piazolla’s Le Grand Tango,
presented with typical Argentinean melancholy hidden behind a veil of
irony.."
Ladis Müller,
Smålandsposten, Sweden
"To a sold out house at
the Washington Musica Viva studio in Kensington, Maryland, Carl Banner
(pianist) and Anders Lundegard (soprano saxophone) presented three engaging
premiere compositions. Grahn, a Swedish composer who in 1973 founded the
DC-based Contemporary Music Forum and who attended the world premiere
performance, said the saxophone acts as “a chameleon, sometimes sounding
like the viola.”..Lundegard and Banner performed another world premier
composition Pasos Gatunos by the DC-based composer Michael Strand. This
three-minute tango whose name translates “catlike steps” opens with a
laughing saxophone that sounds much like Klezmer music....
The third premiere, a first performance in the United States, was “Lost
City” by Stefan Meylaers. Meylaers is a Belgian composer noted for his
free atonality. In Lost City, the lyric composition presents as fluidly
and soothingly as a lullaby. Lundegard and Banner’s performance fit hand-in-glove."
Karren L. Alenier,
The Washingtonpost
"Upon entering,
Lundegård took his first bow, and proceeded to fill the room with
the most beautiful, richest sound ever produced by a saxophone that I
have ever heard. . . Indeed, the evening was a spectacular exhibition
of talent, showmanship and great music".
Doug Funk,
The Quad
"Opening the
recital with the [Lars-Erik Larsson] Concerto, Lundegård,
with Moffat at the piano, launched into the complexities of the first
movement with great energy and elan, making easy work of fast-moving polyphony
and syncopations.. . . [the second] movement also displayed Lundegård
in his best light, requiring indisputable command of dynamics and breath." ...The divertimento was followed by Lars-Erik Larsson´s Konsert
för Saxofon och Stråkorkester. With a refined sound, a
vibrato which embellished his tone with the dimensions of the human voice,
and of even more significance, with the talent for subtle nuances, Anders
Lundegård succeeded in seducing his audience. Especially the elegiac
atmosphere and deep poetry of the second movement brought tears to our
eyes.
TESTIMONIALS "You do Bach justice!"
"Your performance
was a splendid accomplishment and I sat in awe all the way through because
of your extraordinary saxophone playing and Myriam's excellent and expressive
musicianship. The two of you play extremely well together. It was a sheer
pleasure to hear you, and I hope to have a chance to see and hear you
soon again. Best wishes."
"Your opening note on the Ave Maria was breath-takingly beautiful as
was your interpretation through-out. And I had to smile a lot at the Norman
Rockwell-esque scene of a German and a Swede playing the hell out of "Stars
and Stripes Forever" -- a lovely piece of Americana fit for the cover
of "Life" Magazine."
"Thank you for participating in last night's phenomenally successful
event! Everybody I spoke with was bowled over by it."
"Thank you again for playing [my piece] Pasos Gatunos... You both gave
the piece the verve and energy I was hoping for...I certainly felt gratified
to see that other people enjoyed hearing it, and I have you and Anders
to thank for that!"
"Just wanted to tell you how informative and fun it has been to surf
through [your website]! Great playing - tons of good information and fun
with the fun stuff! Cheers,"
"Thank you for including us in your very enjoyable concert. Your artistry and
imagination were exceptional. You made the other "Lundegard" proud."
"Thank you so much for the wonderful evening last night.
Congratulations! It was wonderful. I enjoyed the music thoroughly, and
found myself totally transported by the music. Many congratulations to
you and the pianist. You're a wonderful saxophon player and composer. Thank you for giving us this wonderful music." "We didn't try to break into the crush around either of you, but we wanted you to know that it was (in case you hadn't been told) a fabulous performance! We enjoyed the music so very much, and were so pleased for you that it was a great and very responsive crowd. And the crowd had a lot to respond to. What music you made! It was memorable, and a lot of fun. Thanks for doing it."
"Many thanks for a tremendous performance with Myriam Avalos, who also deserves compliments. I did enjoy the concert a lot."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon concert yesterday. Both you and
Myriam are extremely talented and it is wonderful that you share your
gifts with us. This was my first concert of classical sax. I like your
composition of the fjords. I imagine the long Viking ships slicing
through the fog as they emerge from the fjords. BTW, with your breath
control, you can be a great free diver. Wow! You made the sax sounds
just like a cello.
Myriam is a very fine lady, pianist and so accomplished as well. You
two are a wonderful team."
"Anders, I enjoyed the concert beyond my expectations. I was not at all
familiar with the saxophone playing classical music. It was gorgeous!
I must tell you that I found your composition magnificent! Thank you
for inviting me to hear such glorious music."
Geofrey Shaw Monmouth,
The Sun - USA News
"Lundegård bravely fulfilled all the commands of this [Strata
by Thomas Liljeholm] difficult score and succeeded in drawing the audience
into its mesmerizing atmosphere. . . .Lundegård played Elegi
[by Rolf Wallin] with an astonishingly liquid tone, reminiscent of the
haunting Vocalise by Rachmaninoff."
Geofrey Shaw Monmouth,
Nordstjernan
Ladis Müller,
Smålandsposten
Guy Carter,
Pastor, St. James Ev. Luth. Ch., Brogue/PA
Jorgen Pettersson,
Stockholm Saxophone Quartet, Sweden
Ron Giles,
Glenmoore, PA
Carl Banner,
Washington Musica Viva
Michael Strand,
Composer, Washington, DC
Julia Nolan,
University of British Columbia
Western Washington University
Robert Lundegard,
Falls Church, VA
Venecia,
Concert attendee
Fondly,
Linda and Eric,
Concert attendees
Ossi Rahkonen,
Finlandia Foundation National
Camilla,
Concert attendee
Patricia,
Concert attendee
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