Copyright © 2007 Philip R Buttall • All Rights reserved • E-Mail: philiprbuttall@aol.com
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Nigel writes: Only recently has it been possible to manufacture such a fantastically small and high-pitched instrument as the soprillo saxophone. The soprillo is a true 'sopranissimo' instrument, sounding an octave above the soprano and half an octave above the sopranino. It's a transposing instrument in Bb, with a range from low-Bb to high-Eb, although notes above G require different fingerings to regular saxophones. Due to its small size, the upper octave key has been placed into the mouthpiece. Philip was delighted to accept the commission, and the result was his Waltzing Soprillda, of which Nigel wrote: This witty and imaginative take on Australia's signature waltz was originally written for Nigel Wood and his soprillo. (It is one of the first pieces to be published for soprillo saxophone). In it, the agile little piccolo sax (soprillo) revisits 'Matilda' in the styles of Ravel, Schubert, Beethoven, Sousa, swing and more, and she is (of course!) serenaded with didgeridoo fanfares. Nigel featured it on his 2006 China Tour with the National Saxophone Choir, together with some more of Philip's arrangements, where it was a great success, and subsequently appeared on the NSC's 2007 CD, Sax to the Max!.
Nigel also features the soprillo in a video clip from the 2008 Prague Fringe Festival, where he plays Eclogue, again with the NSC.
Recently Philip heard from Mandy Grezeszak, a keen soprilloist from Michigan, USA, who wrote: I want to do anything I can to promote the instrument and its music in the States. I have been performing your 'Waltzing Soprillda' in many of my concerts. I love the piece so much, and have included it on my new CD of saxophone music!
Nigel also features the soprillo in a video clip from the 2008 Prague Fringe Festival, where he plays Eclogue, again with the NSC.
Recently Philip heard from Mandy Grezeszak, a keen soprilloist from Michigan, USA, who wrote: I want to do anything I can to promote the instrument and its music in the States. I have been performing your 'Waltzing Soprillda' in many of my concerts. I love the piece so much, and have included it on my new CD of saxophone music!
It's not very often that composers get asked to write something for a 'new' instrument! Not, that is, until Nigel Wood, of Saxtet Publications asked Philip if he would like to compose something for the Soprillo, This is very small saxophone built in Munich, Germany, by Benedikt Eppelsheim.
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