Erich Wolfgang Korngold is one of the most celebrated late romantic composers in the 20th century. A child prodigy whose brilliance was celebrated by Mahler and Richard Strauss, Korngold wrote his first opera, Die tote Stadt at the age of 23. Korngold was committed to late romantic harmony, he was unmoved by the new stylesContinue reading “Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Die Kathrin; the jazz age opera Nazi’s tried to destroy”
Category Archives: jazz
Saxophone Mythbusters: Ibert’s Concertino da Camera is NOT Bebop
In the saxophone world, I sometimes hear saxophone professors proclaim ideas that are based on questionable knowledge of the history of saxophone literature and performance practice. After recently hearing from not one professor, but two, that Jacques Ibert’s Concertino da Camera is bebop I feel the need to provide a quick refresher of the relationshipContinue reading “Saxophone Mythbusters: Ibert’s Concertino da Camera is NOT Bebop”
Dana Suesse, the “Girl Gershwin”
The following biography of Dana Seusse is for the Bull City Saxophone Quartet’s performance at the 2025 Navy Saxophone Symposium. If you will not be at the saxophone symposium and would like to learn more about this influential American composer, please read on. Dana Suesse (1909-1987) was an American composer and pianist who was oneContinue reading “Dana Suesse, the “Girl Gershwin””
Nazis, Napoleon and the Saxophone, pt. 2, how Nazis weaponized gender to change the image of the saxophone
In a previous post on the opera Napoleon by Edmund von Borck, I made the argument that this opera works as a piece of wartime propaganda. The only piece of the opera that doesn’t fulfill the propaganda use is the style of the music and the use the saxophone in the orchestration. Wasn’t the saxophoneContinue reading “Nazis, Napoleon and the Saxophone, pt. 2, how Nazis weaponized gender to change the image of the saxophone”
Harry Lawrence Freeman—The Black Wagner
The first major American opera composer is not who you might expect, a Black man born right after the Civil War in Cleveland, Ohio. Harry Lawrence Freeman (1869-1954) is perhaps on of the most unique American composers whose work spans the 19th and 20th century. Born in Cleveland to a middle class home, Freeman wasContinue reading “Harry Lawrence Freeman—The Black Wagner”
Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues Opera” is coming back to the stage
Harold Arlen (1905-1986) is best known for his contributions to movie musicals, penning one of the most popular songs in movie history, the Wizard of Oz’s “Over the Rainbow.” What is not as well known are his works outside of Hollywood. A little known opera Arlen composed in 1959 with librettist Johnny Mercer, Free andContinue reading “Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s “Blues Opera” is coming back to the stage”
The Jazz Operas of W. Franke Harling
In 1925, composer W. Franke Harling (1887-1958) set out to make an opera that experimented with jazz. This concept made headlines across the musical world, “New American Music Drama of Redemption Utilizes’ Jazz” is just one example from Musical America.[1] What makes this opera unique is it premiered 10 years before the opera that isContinue reading “The Jazz Operas of W. Franke Harling”
Saxophonist Steve Lacy’s opera “The Cry” is now in the database
Saxophonist Steve Lacy (1934-2004) is one of preminent players of the soprano saxophone, first starting in Dixieland then branching out to the works of Thelonious Monk. Later in his career, he traveled extensively focusing on chamber works and free improvisation. In 1996 during a residency in Berlin, he wrote The Cry, a jazz opera basedContinue reading “Saxophonist Steve Lacy’s opera “The Cry” is now in the database”
The Operatic Saxophone turns one year old—celebrate it by watching opera
Two years ago when everything shut down due to Covid, I started watching the daily streams of the Metropolitan Opera. My interest in opera started before then, but with all the free time and the Met’s high production value, this was the perfect opportunity to dive into the world of opera. Outside of the knowledgeContinue reading “The Operatic Saxophone turns one year old—celebrate it by watching opera”
Watch the premiere of “The Time of Our Singing,” featuring Saxophonist Mark Turner
Belgian composer and jazz pianist Kris Defoort premiered a new opera last month, The Time of Our Singing. This opera is based on Richard Powers’ 2003 novel of the same name which tells the story of a mixed raced family growing up during racial segregation in America. This production is staged by the Belgian operaContinue reading “Watch the premiere of “The Time of Our Singing,” featuring Saxophonist Mark Turner”
the Operatic Saxophone 