The path to this recording was long, windy and fascinating. It started with the awareness that the cello suites provide exceptional playing material for saxophonists. But I long felt that for playing Bach on the saxophone, only the light-sounding soprano saxophone would do—which was, I believed, incompatible with the instrument for which the suites were written.
During preparations for my previous DSD recording of Bach’s partitas for violin (Challenge Classics, CC 72648), I discovered that the alto sax—fitted with an old-style mouthpiece—could reproduce the refined articulation of the violin. Vintage mouthpieces represent the sound ideal of days gone by, before the saxophone was regarded as a ‘jazz instrument’. Then came the idea to play the suites on six different saxophones, each of which holds a unique place in the history of the instrument.
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 02:06:50
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | CC72769 |
| Qualities | |
| Channels | 2ch Stereo, 5 Channel Surround Sound, 2ch Stereo & 5ch Surround |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
| Genres | |
| Cables | Siltech Mon-Crystal Cabling |
| Digital Converters | dCS & Merging Technologies |
| Mastering Engineer | Bert van der Wolf |
| Microphones | Sonodore |
| Instruments | Alto Saxophone, Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano saxophone |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Producer | Bert van der Wolf |
| Recording Engineer | Bert van der Wolf |
| Recording location | Oud Katholieke kerk Delft, The Netherlands on October 11-15, 2017 |
| Release Date | January 12, 2018 |
Press reviews
Positive Feedback
Who would have thought it? The Bach Solo Suites on saxophone? I was skeptical. But, I’ve learned to listen to any album Bert offers because I’ve come to value his tastes and good musical sense. And this recording by Raaf Hekkema is a totally enjoyable experience. It helps the Hekkema is a total master of the saxophone, a co-founder of the Calefax Reed Quintet (since 1985), gives hundreds of concerts a year, and teaches at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague where he is head of the classical saxophone department.
Again, beautifully recorded by Bert van der Wolf! And if you think you might like some additional Bach arranged for saxophone that is also beautifully recorded, look into Hakkeman’s recording of the Bach Partitas and other solo works.
Audio Advies & Tekst
Yes, fans this is another musical highlight. An album of saxophone performances of the 6 Cello Suites of Bach, played by our patriotic Raaf Hekkema. Very nicely recorded by Bert van der Wolf.
The 6 different saxophones on this album, each with their own character, are masterfully played by Raaf Hekkema. What (micro) dynamics, what phrasing! I have listened to the DSD download of this album from NativeDSD in detail this afternoon. It’s yoga for the ears. Exciting, swinging and compelling.
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