Reminiscent of Satie

VIT are "Very Important Things" that have become an integral part of our daily lives, such as the Tweezersthat Roach or the Port authority. They all receive an affectionate, tongue-in-cheek portrait here in an advanced musical language that is not too difficult to understand. The seven short pieces for saxophone and piano are dedicated to saxophonist Jean-Michel Goury on the one hand and Erik Satie on the other. Alongside titles such as Gymnasticswhich at best refers to the Gymnopédies or the obituary of the Dodo as a possible parallel to the Embryons desséchés it is above all the fact that each piece is preceded by a descriptive, sober text that is reminiscent of Satie in its distance from the musical-poetic event that follows.

Each of the seven pieces has a clear form, is derived from a simple basic material and is imaginatively crafted. An often recurring motif is the handling of disturbances. Unison parts are suddenly interrupted, either because the saxophonist is pondering a note or the pianist wants to demonstrate his virtuosity. Or the saxophonist experiments with microtonal changes in unison, which must drive the pianist, who is incapable of doing so, mad. In return, the saxophonist has to follow the common playing instruction of "pure intonation", which at best elicits a tired smile from the pianist. Another frequently recurring motif is mirroring, whether within the sequence of the twelve-tone rows or in the formal structure. The lively first piece (the Watering can), for example, is perfectly symmetrical.

The pieces can be played as a suite, but can also be inserted individually between other works. The wit, the conciseness and the loose connection with each other make it possible.

Rico Gubler, VIT Very important things, for alto saxophone and piano, FH 3446, € 17.80, Friedrich Hofmeister, Leipzig 2012