RECORDING

Chinese Rhapsody No. 3,composed by An-lun Huang in 1988, is a significant work within the repertoire for saxophone. Written in Toronto, Canada, it was dedicated to the Canadian saxophonist Paul Brodie, who premiered it in Ontario the same year. The piece is notable for its integration of traditional Chinese musical elements, particularly drawing from the "Saibei Folk Style" despite not directly quoting any folk songs. The composition is structured into five movements that flow continuously without pause, each exploring different moods and textures through the use of both alto and soprano saxophones.  This live recording is recorded by Dr. Yunze Mu at UW SoM.

Vocalise," Op. 34, No. 14, is one of Sergei Rachmaninoff's most famous compositions. Written in 1912, it is part of his Fourteen Songs, Op. 34, and is the last piece in the collection. Unlike the other songs in the set, "Vocalise" has no lyrics and is intended to be sung using a single vowel sound, such as "ah" or "oo," allowing the performer to express emotion purely through the melody without the constraints of words. This live recording is recorded by Dr. Yunze Mu at UW SoM.

The Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by Henri Tomasi is one of the key works in the saxophone repertoire, composed in 1949. Tomasi, a French composer and conductor, was known for his ability to blend traditional French musical elements with modernist tendencies, and this concerto is a prime example of his style. This version is a live recording performed by Chen Wang and Dr. Tong Liu at home during the COVID period in 2020. 

Pierre-Max Dubois (1930–1995) was a French composer, conductor, and educator, known for his significant contributions to 20th-century classical music, particularly in the realm of saxophone music.  Dubois is perhaps best known among saxophonists for his numerous compositions that explore the full range of the instrument’s expressive capabilities. His works are often used in both educational and professional contexts, and they have become staples of the saxophone repertoire.  This piece is recorded by Chen Wang himself at home with Dr. Wong.