DIALOGUES, COUNTERPOINT AND VARIATIONS

Emma Nicol Pigato, Baritone Saxophone

Giovanni Scarpa, Violin

Prodotto La Nostra in Gioco LPG 01.18.01

Contact Emma Pigato at emma_pigato@yahoo.it to purchase

 

 

With the plethora of excellent saxophone recordings that emphasize extended techniques and pyrotechnical mastery, it is refreshing to hear a recording of thoughtful music from the Baroque era. This daring duo recording is perfect to enjoy when you need that morning baroque fix with the saxophone. If you have a large room crank up the volume and immerse yourself in the glory of sax and violin!

 

Venetian Saxophonist Nicol Pigato’s first entry into the great classical saxophone discography is fresh, raw, and unashamed. Exploring the works of Bach, Corelli, Frescobaldi, Marini, and Carissimi, The Pigato-Scarpa Duo reveals the true nature of this music. in the 16th Century it was customary for music to be conceived for every kind of instrument - “ogni sorte de stromenti"- and that in the 17th Century, instrumental compositions were often not intended to be exclusive for one

specific instrument. The duo is sensitive to baroque period performance techniques but does perform with a hint vibrato allowing saxophone and violin to experience various colors when desired. 

 

With the exception of Johann Sebastian Bach's Two-part Inventions, the performance practice for the pieces here would have required polyphonic instruments for the harmonic creation of the basso continuo. However, the performance by the duo offers the listener the opportunity to concentrate on an essential aspect of Baroque music, and indeed of music in general: the melody.

 

The recording opens with Biagio Marini’s La Orlandina.  This composition from 1617 Venice is the perfect introduction for the Venetian saxophonist to introduce us to her rich and thoughtful baritone saxophone as it balances the harmonically richness of Scarpa’s violin. 

 

Additionally, we have 

Giacomo Carissimi - Sonata for flute or violin

Girolamo Frescobaldi – Second Canzon

JS Bach – Two Part Inventions, No. 1,4,8, and 9

Arcangelo Corelli -Sonata Op.V, No. 8,9,19,11,and 12

 

 

From the Emma Pigato’s liner notes: “Here, this is not only interpreted and created as an independent and autonomous voice, but as part of a dialogue through a variety of compositional techniques and styles. While our approach is to some degree anti-historic, it does not seek any antagonism with

historically informed practices, without which it would not be possible today to fully enjoy the

expressive richness of Baroque music. Instead, our duo seeks to explore a parallel path of

interpretation that develops new points of view, or rather, new ways of listening. This is why an

approach that many purists might consider at best risky, becomes an opportunity for performers and listeners to deepen their knowledge of a very fertile period that had a profound influence on that which came after and continues to influence the musical universe of our time.”

 

This is a worthy addition to any library of saxophone recordings you may have. I look forward to hearing more from Emma Nicol!