La Valse
Saxon Wind Philharmonic
Conductor: Peter Sommerer
"La Valse" is the Saxon Wind Philharmonic's most recent CD, which was awarded with an Opus Klassik 2023.
From the first moment this album will surprise you: In terms of repertory, it is as unique orchestra in the circle of the German symphonic and opera orchestras. The CD contains outstanding works of French symphonic music, in harmonious arrangements made suitable for an orchestra formation whose instrumentation and sound, even internationally, is special. As Peter Sommerer, chief conductor and artistic director notes in the booklet to the recording: "We have no saxophones but the soft brass section. In addition to the horns, trumpets, trombones and tubas, there are two flugelhorns, two tenor horns and a baritone. Combined with the woodwinds, that makes quite a characteristic blend."
Indeed, the compositions can be heard in a new way and from a different perspective. Berlioz's overture Le Carnaval Romain for example, sounds almost better than the original, César Franck's Ballade vom Verfluchten Reiter (Le Chasseur maudit) unfolds an enchanting variety of colors. Peter Sommerer assures that the exclusively prepared arrangements are not adaptations, but rather translations: "We try to keep the music as close to the original as possible and play more with the colors of our special wind instrumentation“.
