Emerging and award-winning chamber group Petrichor Sax brings you the Top 5 things you never knew about the saxophone ahead of a performance at the Glebe Justice Centre on October 31.
Read on and you’ll never feel awkward around a saxophonist again. At least, not for your lack of knowledge…
1. Adolph Sax invented 14 different types of saxophone.
As well as today’s instruments in Eb and Bb, Sax invented a second group of saxophones that were in C and F. The C and F saxophones were orchestral saxophones, but their use in the orchestra never really caught on. In saying that, the C melody saxophone was quite a popular instrument. It didn’t require transposing, and sheet music could be shared with family and friends for entertainment. They stopped manufacturing the C melody saxophone after the depression in the 1930s.
2. The saxophone is banned in some Catholic Orthodox churches (apparently).
In 1903, Pope Pius X banned certain instruments – one of them being the saxophone. Officially, this ban has not been lifted. We’re wondering if Pope Pius X knew what a whole lot of saxophones sounded like together? It can actually sound a lot like a church organ, as they both have vibrating reeds!
3. The date of the saxophone’s invention cannot be precisely pinpointed. Oh, and Sax went bankrupt.
This is mainly due to the fact Adolph Sax went through years of legal battles to patent the instrument. Sax first presented the saxophone in 1841 in Brussels and the first public performance was in Paris in 1842. It wasn’t until 1846 that the saxophone was officially patented. Unfortunately, at that point, owing to the extended legal disputes, Sax was forced into bankruptcy.
4. Elisa Hall (1853-1924).
This lovely lady is often forgotten for the astounding contribution she made to the saxophone’s repertoire. Director of the Boston Orchestra Club, Elisa Hall commissioned 22 works between 1900 and 1920, including Claude Debussy’s ‘Rhapsodie for Saxophone and Orchestra’.
And last but not least…
5. Crazy sounds.
You can make some crazy sounds on the saxophone. It has the ability to play an array of extended techniques and some of them include: slap-tonguing, multi-phonics, growling or singing while playing, air sounds and subtone. In addition, you have the ability to manipulate pitch by bending notes or by using quartertone fingerings.
Feel enlightened? See Petrichor Sax perform ‘Painting Music’ at the Glebe Justice Centre, 7pm October 31. Concert features works by new music composers including Harry Burgess, Kezia Yap, Ciaran Frame, Elizabeth Jigalin, and Will Yaxley. $15/20 at the door or trybooking.com.
Image supplied. Credit: Milo Dodd.
