Music on Thursdays
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Thursday 14th November 2024
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Anson Justin Wong
saxophone
Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
from Cello Suite No 1 BWV 1007
1 Prelude
2 Courante
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
arr Raaf Hekkema (b1968)
Caprice No 3 Moderato (pre 1818)
Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Tango Études
No 3 Molto marcato e energico
No 4 Lento meditativo
Paul Bonneau (1918-1995)
Caprice en forme de valse (1950)
Jeanine Rueff (1922-1999)
from Sonata pour Saxophone Alto seul
2 Adagio
3 Presstissimo; scherzando
Ryō Noda (b1948, Amagasaki, Japan)
Improvisation 1 (based on shakuhachi playing)
Vincent David (b1974, Paris)
Pulse
Jean-Charles Richard (b1974, Bourg-en-Bresse)
Caprice Hommage à Charlie Chaplin
Concert duration approx: 55+ minutes
courtesy of the Royal Academy of Music
Please donate to help fund these concerts at: cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Anson Justin Wong
Born and raised in Hong Kong, saxophonist Anson Wong is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Simon Haram, principal saxophonist of the London Sinfonietta. Additionally, he is expanding his skills by studying clarinet with Chi-Yu Mo, principal E-flat clarinettist with the London Symphony Orchestra, and the flute with Laura Jellicoe, former Head of Flute at the Royal Northern College of Music. Anson began his musical journey at a young age, starting piano at 4 and saxophone at 6, studying the latter with Maurice Poon, Kevin Ling, and Dr Tak-Chiu Wong.
Anson has established himself as a soloist with performances around the globe. Notably, in 2021, he premiered Network Connection Lost by Carmel Smickersgill, a piece commemorating the 200th anniversaries of the Royal Academy of Music. His solo recital debut in London followed in 2023.
Anson has achieved numerous awards and distinctions, including the ATCL and LTCL diplomas in Saxophone Performance with distinction in 2014 and 2016 respectively, securing first prize in the Woodwind Open Class Division of the Hong Kong Music Talent Award and reaching the finals of the 3rd Asia Pacific Saxophone Competition. Most recently, he competed in the 10th Andorra International Solo Saxophone Competition in 2024. Anson has also enriched his artistry by participating in workshops and masterclasses with renowned saxophonists including Claude Delangle, Vincent David, Nikita Zimin, Asya Fateyeva, Mariano García, Philippe Geiss, Dr Timothy McAllister, and John Harle.
Anson is regarded as an ensemble and orchestral player. From 2015 to 2018, he was a member of the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band. His collaborations extend to professional groups like the Philharmonia Orchestra in the UK and the RAM Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a member of several ensembles: the Première Quartet Hong Kong, the Marylebone Saxophone Trio, and the Jubilee Quintet, the latter of which won the 2024 RAM Woodwind Ensemble Prize. Anson also contributes to the Holiday Sax Ensemble, further showcasing his versatility and commitment to ensemble performance.
Anson has established himself as a soloist with performances around the globe. Notably, in 2021, he premiered Network Connection Lost by Carmel Smickersgill, a piece commemorating the 200th anniversaries of the Royal Academy of Music. His solo recital debut in London followed in 2023.
Anson has achieved numerous awards and distinctions, including the ATCL and LTCL diplomas in Saxophone Performance with distinction in 2014 and 2016 respectively, securing first prize in the Woodwind Open Class Division of the Hong Kong Music Talent Award and reaching the finals of the 3rd Asia Pacific Saxophone Competition. Most recently, he competed in the 10th Andorra International Solo Saxophone Competition in 2024. Anson has also enriched his artistry by participating in workshops and masterclasses with renowned saxophonists including Claude Delangle, Vincent David, Nikita Zimin, Asya Fateyeva, Mariano García, Philippe Geiss, Dr Timothy McAllister, and John Harle.
Anson is regarded as an ensemble and orchestral player. From 2015 to 2018, he was a member of the Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band. His collaborations extend to professional groups like the Philharmonia Orchestra in the UK and the RAM Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a member of several ensembles: the Première Quartet Hong Kong, the Marylebone Saxophone Trio, and the Jubilee Quintet, the latter of which won the 2024 RAM Woodwind Ensemble Prize. Anson also contributes to the Holiday Sax Ensemble, further showcasing his versatility and commitment to ensemble performance.
Recordings of the works in today's concert
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
from Cello Suite No 1 BWV 1007
1 Prelude [3:16]
2 Courante [2:38]
Familiar to our audience in the cello originals, it turns out that this music also works well on saxophone. The Prelude and Courante are performed here by Wonki Lee:
from Cello Suite No 1 BWV 1007
1 Prelude [3:16]
2 Courante [2:38]
Familiar to our audience in the cello originals, it turns out that this music also works well on saxophone. The Prelude and Courante are performed here by Wonki Lee:
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Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
arr Raaf Hekkema (b1968)
Caprice No 3 Moderato (pre 1818) [3:37]
It is only a few weeks since this player was with us in the room! Here, Alistair Penman is performing in the Great Hall at St Bartholonews (Barts) Hospital, London EC:
Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Tango Études
No 3 Molto marcato e energico
No 4 Lento meditativo
For the Piazzolla, we have a recording by Claude Delangle, with the Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jean Thorel:
Paul Bonneau (1918-1995)
Caprice en forme de valse (1950) [7:00]
Here comes one of the great French masters of the saxophone, Marcel Mule, performing at the University of Utah, in 1958.
Tribute left on YouTube by Swiss saxophonist and professor, Iwan Roth:
As a former student at the Paris Conservatoire with the Master, Marcel Mule, (1958-1961, same time as Eugene Rousseau), I would only like to specify one thing. The recordings played by Marcel Mule which are published on Youtube, give only a very approximate idea from how his sound really was. These are recordings made more than 60 years ago, with poor equipment and afterwards passed trough filters in order to clean the noise out.
During the lessons (always class lessons) he played all the time for us. He never did bring a horn, but take one from a student - and it was not always a Selmer. His timbre was simply incredible, also the vibrato does not sound exactly at it did in real life. Even his best students felt very small playing after him.
I am in the process of recording a video, to be published on my new website, . . . where I will speak about my experience with this great virtuoso and teacher. I think only survivors like Jean-Marie Londeix, Fred Hemke, Eugène Rousseau and myself can give the real dimension of Marcel Mule as a saxophonist and creator of playing this instrument in classical as well as in jazz style.
Marcel Mule and Sigurd Rascher were the fathers of modern saxophone playing. They were both great players and made enormous contribution, but Marcel Mule had a natural talent, which has never been reached by any player until today.
Jeanine Rueff (1922-1999)
from Sonata pour Saxophone Alto seul
1 Allegro
2 Adagio
3 Presstissimo; scherzando [12:30]
From the Teatre Comunal D´Andorra la Vella, and ANDORRA SAX FEST 2023: IX International Saxophone SOLO Competition Day, we hear the complete work, Sonata, performed by the Croatian player Jakov Varezic:
Ryō Noda (b1948, Amagasaki, Japan)
Improvisation 1 (based on shakuhachi playing) [4:00]
At another music festival, the St Petersburg International New Music Festival "REMUSIK" , we hear Serafima Verkholat:
Vincent David (b1974, Paris)
Pulse [7:35]
For Valentine Michaud's performance we move to the DR Concerthuset in Copenhagen. You will soon hear where the title comes from !
Jean-Charles Richard (b1974, Bourg-en-Bresse)
Caprice Hommage à Charlie Chaplin [4:00]
Our final recording takes us back to Andorra, for this year's festival, this time from the Centre de Congreses de Andorra la Vella, from where we shall hear Salvatore Alessandro Miceli:
Previous concert
7 November 2024 - David Massey, classical guitar - click here
Next concert
21 November 2024 - pianist Emilie Capulet & friends, click here
