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Music for the world's smallest saxophone

Nigel Woods Soprillogy - the first ever album dedicated to the world's tiniest saxophone – is already attracting accolades and airtime. Sax superstar Snake Davis has described the CD as "a masterpiece", international recording artist and performer Gerard McChrystal has acclaimed it as "a truly moving, energetic and passionate album", and renowned soloist, composer, educator and editor of the Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone Richard Ingham has greeted it as "an astonishing display of technical bravura, displaying outstanding musicianship and a fearless head for heights." It's already been featured on Chris Gumbley's Radio Stafford's Jazzbeat slot, and can be heard on www.bbc.co.uk/entertainment/jazz.

Soprillogy CD

This is impressive achievement for the little soprillo, an instrument that only got a lukewarm reaction when its manufacturer Benedikt Eppelsheim first introduced it to the public in 1999. Nigel chanced on it a few years later and immediately adopted it to complete the family of saxes represented in the National Saxophone Choir. It featured in the 2005 premier of Ben Palmer’s Chimes and has been an integral element of Choir repertoire ever since.

However, Nigel soon realized that it had far more potential than a mere piccolo-equivalent, and so commissioned Philip Buttall to write Waltzing Soprillda (CD track 6), an exhilarating romp through two centuries of musical history. When performed with the Choir at the 2006 World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia it received a standing ovation, and it was this that inspired and encouraged Nigel to assemble the 15 tracks on Soprillogy, all specifically arranged or composed for the Soprillo.

The music encompasses elements of contemporary, world, baroque pastiche, jazz, folk and pop influences but ultimately defies categorization, simply reflecting Nigel's personal, eclectic tastes. Nigel now hopes that the album will provide a resource for future Soprilloists (most of the titles will be published by Saxtet Publications), and an inspiration (even provocation!) to continue his pioneering journey into the heights of the saxophonic world.

Soprillogy Music for the world's smallest saxophone; Nigel Wood (Soprillo), Jonathan Taylor (piano), Karen Street (accordion), Tanya Houghton (harp); SXP002 67.07

On sale from: www.saxtetpublications.com > catalogue > recordings; £12 plus p&p. £2 from every sale to The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, Registered Charity No. 1124193

Websites: www.soprillo.com; www.saxtetpublications.com; www.saxchoir.com; www.eppelsheim.com

Clare Mackney
13 February 2009

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