An extraordinary concert takes place on October
22 at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg when Music Revival in
association with FOTAG presents young Spanish saxophonist and composer David
Salleras in concert. He will be joined by Durban-based saxophonist Maxine
Matthews (23) and Christopher Duigan (piano). Matthews, who has already won a
popular following locally with her skilled and sensitive performances, has
invited her colleague Salleras to play a six concert tour in South Africa.
David Salleras has created a new form of
writing for the saxophone. After finishing his studies at the conservatoire in
Barcelona, he won a scholarship to continue his studies in France with
Jean-Yves Fourmeau and Nicolas Prost in Paris. Here he distinguished himself
showing an outstanding sense of improvisation, mixing contemporary music and
traditional Spanish idioms. His contact with multiple musical genres and his
unique interpretations were encouraged, leading to the creation of new
compositions and performances.
A musician without limits, his music draws
on various music sources; from Bartok, Albeniz, Falla, Ginastera, Paco de Lucia
and Piazzolla. The result is music created by a melodic virtuoso who leads the
audience in a world where everyone finds their stories, their origins.
The recipient of numerous international
awards in Spain, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Italy, his
compositions are performed by saxophonists throughout Europe, both as saxophone
quartets and solo pieces. David plays saxophones by Selmer, Paris and his works
are published by Edition Dinsic Barcelona.
The Tatham programme will include a number
of Salleras original compositions for one and two unaccompanied saxes as well
as rarely-performed compositions for two saxophones with piano by JS Singlee
and an arrangement of the Trio for piano, oboe and bassoons by Francis Poulenc.
Keeping with a French and Spanish theme for
the evening, the ensemble of two saxophones and piano include two of the
standard classical works for saxophone; Debussy’s Rhapsody and Darius Milhaud’s Scaramouch.
They end the programme with music by ‘nuevo tango’ composer Astor Piazzolla
including Milonga del Angel, Oblivion
and movements from his Four Seasons of
Buenos Aires - Las Quatro Estaciones PorteƱas.
This concert, offering an engaging and
entertaining evening of new musical ideas, forms part of the Music Revival 15th
birthday month which runs from October to mid-November. Selections from this
programme will also be presented at the Friends of Music in Durban on October 23,
University of Cape Town (October 24) and the Classic Music festival in
Franschhoek (October 27/28)
The concert takes place at 19h30 on October
in the Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg. Tickets R80 booked on 033 342 3051or
email: booking@musicrevival.co.za (preferred). Refreshments will be on sale in
the Coffee Shop and there is secure parking on the Church Street side of the
Gallery.