Chopin University Press - Paweł Gusnar. Saxophone Varie vol. 4 (2022) Hi-Res

The Saxophone Varie series, initiated in 2014 by Paweł Gusnar, aims to record the Polish repertoire showing the potential and a wide range of technical and expressive possibilities of the saxophones of the classical quartet in various cast variants. It consists of compositions most of which were created in close cooperation with the artist and are mostly dedicated to him.

Saxophone Varie vol. 4 includes solo pieces (for soprano saxophone), duets (for soprano and alto saxophone variants with organ and accordion) and a double concerto for alto saxophone, bandoneon (diatonic and chromatic) and string orchestra written by composers representing various generations and compositional styles: from Krzysztof Penderecki and Stanisław Moryta, through Łukasz Woś, to Nikola Kołodziejczyk, Ignacy Zalewski and Aleksander Jan Szopa. The seven songs are phonographic premieres. Original works and transcriptions, lyricism and virtuosity, improvised fragments, elements of programming, contemporary performance techniques and sonoric means alongside melancholic, romantic mood - all these phenomena create a repertoire rich in terms of content.

The fourth part of the series proves once again that Polish saxophone achievements are not only diverse, valuable and interesting, but also inspiring, intensely emotional and beautiful.