accompanying. Eric Lau Archive

“Journey – Five Centuries of Song for the Saxophone” = Works by SCARLATTI, CARISSIMI, VIVALDI, MAHLER, MESSIAEN, and others – Eric Lau, sax/Kristin Ditlow, p. – Blue Griffin

by Audiophile Audition | Sep 11, 2016 | Classical CD Reviews

Very unusual program but very nice playing. “Journey – Five Centuries of Song for the Saxophone” = Works by SCARLATTI, CARISSIMI, VIVALDI, MAHLER, MESSIAEN, and others – Eric Lau, sax/ Kristin Ditlow, p. – Blue Griffin BGR399, 66:54, (Distr. by Albany) (5/16/16) ***: Eric Lau is a professor of saxophone at the University of New Mexico, a frequent soloist with virtually every New Mexico orchestra as well as the Santa Fe Opera and is the baritone sax player in the esteemed Iridium Quartet. He is a very fine player with a clear and vibrant tone and formidable technique. Eric is truly “the man” among saxophone players in New Mexico and among the best players in the country as I have had the pleasure of hearing his work with the Iridium Quartet. So it is not surprising that – for saxophone playing itself – this is a rewarding album. The show here really is Eric’s very nice tone quality. The payoff is that this album makes for very ‘soft-spoken’, almost ambient, listening. Lau’s technique is not on display here; nor for his pianist, the very fine Kristin Ditlow. I admit, though, I have issues with the program. As the album title […]