[zaxroots]

I'm looking at a list of players in a Symphony Orchestra trying to find the sax players but I don't see Saxophone listed as an instrument - I do see Horn (is this it?) Clarinet, Trombone, Trumpet, Flute, etc... but no Sax ?

So I'm wondering if it's simply called "Horn" in Classical circles (but I thought that refers to French Horn...)

Or is it simply that they don't have saxes?

Here's the link in question: http://www.nws.edu/AcademyFellows.asp?section=6

Any ideas?

 

[ianhart]

No saxes in an Orchestra, unless it has a sax feature (Glazunov, etc.).

 

[rs1sensen]

ianhart is correct, to my knowledge, the saxophone doesn't have any permanent seat in any major orchestra in the world. (If I'm incorrect on this please let me know, as I'd be curious to take a listen to that orchestra!)

Occasionally a saxophone will solo with an orchestra, but that's a different story.

And yes, the "horn" you mentioned almost always refers to French Horn, although in very rare cases it might be referring to english horn, it's quite safe to assume French Horn is what it is describing.

 

[Agent27]

Sometimes there's a sax in a pops orchestra, but it's normally a clarinet player who plays it.

 

[J.Max]

No saxophones in Classical Orchestra. They didn't come along until a bit later, and by the time they did, the standard orchestral configuration was already there. There are some orchestral pieces that use them, mostly French, but not in the standard orchestra.

 

[BlueLight]

The NCSA Symphony Orchestra is performing Ravel's Bolero this fall, it is one of the few famous orchestra pieces that incorporate Saxophones as a part of the orchestra.
Hopefully I can get the seat for the Soprano Sax part

 

[zaxroots]

Thanks guys - that was really fast...

So... where do all you "classical" sax players play?

I'm curious...

 

[Jonathan C.]

I am learning Clarinet, to play in an Orchestra.

 

[thejoyofsax]

Some orchestral works that include saxophone:

Moussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures at an Exhibition
Bizet - L'Arlesienne Suites
Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris
Darius Milhaud - La Creation du Monde (The Creation of the World)
Prokofiev - Alexander Nevsky, Lieutenant Kije, Romeo and Juliet
Shostakovich - Jazz Suites
Britten - Symphonia da Requiem
Kodaly - Harry Janos Suite
Copland - Piano Concerto

If you'd like to hear the movement from "Pictures" with saxophone, there is a clip of me playing it on Myspace. It's called "The Old Castle."
www.myspace.com/matthewfeltner

I think it's a little out of tune, so be forewarned

 

[DukeCity]

Sometimes there's a sax in a pops orchestra, but it's normally a clarinet player who plays it.

It's always fun to get called for a Pops orchestra gig. You show up for the rehearsal, the violas see some saxes setting up, they roll their eyes and reach for the ear plugs. Makes you feel real welcome!

 

[hakukani]

Thanks guys - that was really fast...

So... where do all you "classical" sax players play?

I'm curious...

There's more to 'classical' music than orchestra. There is chamber music.
For saxophones, there is also concert band.

According to musicologist R. Murray Schaffer, the classical and romantic orchestra is an analogue of a factory. You have a CEO, (conductor), foremen (principals), and workers (section players). The paradigm has changed a couple of times since the end of the nineteenth century.

 

[bezozzi]

saxoonboi:

Actually, I hear much less about the Dallas Wind Symphony than say the Eastman Wind Ensemble, or if you're talking about "professional" wind ensembles... Me being in Georgia, I know of the Tara Winds and the Cobb Wind Symphony. So I wouldn't say that there's only ONE major wind ensemble, but maybe one major one in your area.

 

[thejoyofsax]

There's also the Cleveland Symphonic Winds and the Northshore Band (I think that is its name?) which is directed by Mallory Thompson.

 

[Saxplayer67]

The NCSA Symphony Orchestra is performing Ravel's Bolero this fall, it is one of the few famous orchestra pieces that incorporate Saxophones as a part of the orchestra.
Hopefully I can get the seat for the Soprano Sax part

I believe that it was originally composed for a sopranino.

Also, if saxophone was a standard orchestral instrument, would we all have as much fun playing it? In my experience, many saxophonists are 'outsiders' or the coolest of the cool, reflected by their personalities. The question is, which are you? A Travis Bickle, a Norman Bates, a Mr Bean or a Fonz?

 

[JMDSax]

Yeah, Bolero actually calls for a Soprano in Bb, a Tenor in Bb, and a Sopranino in F. But the sopranino solo is easily transposed for the soprano. I've always heard that is a mystery why Ravel called for the F sopranino since, though it was listed in Adolphe Sax's original plans, there is no record of one ever being produced.

 

[Dr G]

It doesn't matter - Eb or F is close enough for a 'nino. Pitch is relative and elusive.

 

[Rick]

I'm looking at a list of players in a Symphony Orchestra trying to find the sax players but I don't see Saxophone listed as an instrument - I do see Horn (is this it?) Clarinet, Trombone, Trumpet, Flute, etc... but no Sax ?

So I'm wondering if it's simply called "Horn" in Classical circles (but I thought that refers to French Horn...)

Or is it simply that they don't have saxes?

Here's the link in question: http://www.nws.edu/AcademyFellows.asp?section=6

Any ideas?

Yes, that is pretty typical among orchestras. My prof plays with the San Francisco Symphony and every time he plays an orchestral pieces with them (i.e. bolero, pictures) he is not mentioned in the program. Typically, the programs are designed with several concerts to save printing so frequently and I guess management just assumes that putting the saxophonist in the program is not worth it because he is only in one concert, and in one piece. However, from my experience, my name has been featured with smaller orchestras like community or youth orchestras because their programs are printed individually for each concert.

 

[gary]

It's always fun to get called for a Pops orchestra gig. You show up for the rehearsal, the violas see some saxes setting up, they roll their eyes and reach for the ear plugs. Makes you feel real welcome!

Glenn - maybe it was the cut-offs, flip-flops and the T-shirt that said "Let me loosen your G string" that did it.

 

[evsax]

At least there haven't been any lists compiled of "Great Orchestral Pieces Nearly Ruined by Saxophone." Well, maybe next week...!

 

[J.Max]

Thanks guys - that was really fast...

So... where do all you "classical" sax players play?

I'm curious...

"Classical" saxophone is mostly solo or small ensemble music. There is also concert band, as has been mentioned.

It's not really "classical" music either. (It really should be called "Western Art Music" since the term "classical" refers to a particular period.)