WCO Press Releases - 2007

WISCONSIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA BEGINS 2007 BY WELCOMING FRENCH SAXOPHONIST CLAUDE DELANGLE


MADISON, WI — January 4, 2007 The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra(WCO), led by Maestro Andrew Sewell, will hold its first Masterworks performance of 2007 on Friday, January 19 with guest saxophonist Claude Delangle. The program will feature Mr. Delangle as soloist in Ibert's Concertino da Camera and Debussy's Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Strings, as well as other works for orchestra, Faure's Dolly Suite and Debussy's Afternoon of a Faun. This mainly French program has a bit of twist at the end. Mr. Delangle's interest in the tango is brought to the fore in two works by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla that conclude the program- his famous Oblivion and La Muerte del Angel.

The connection between Buenos Aires and Paris is an important one in the development of the Tango. Sailors stopping in Argentina in the early 1900s brought the Tango dance form back to Paris, and it exercised a great influence on French music of the time. In 1914, the archbishop of Paris actually threatened excommunication to anyone with ties to the tango! Today, the tango is a widely accepted form of dance and music, just like any other ballroom style. Guest artist Claude Delangle was in contact with Piazzolla during the '80s. Piazzola even wrote his saxophone and piano Tango Etudes for Delangle.

Soloist, researcher, and pedagogue, Claude Delangle, one of the greatest contemporary saxophonists, stands out as the master of the French saxophone. Privileged interpreter for classic works, he enriches repertoire and encourages creation by collaborating with the most renowned composers and promoting the youngest. “I was 9 at the time I chose the saxophone,” says Delangle. “I had no idea of its repertoires; I fell in love with its beautiful visual shape and its wonderful warm sound. And 40 years later, I'm still mad about it.”

Concert tickets are $19, $35, and $52, with discounts for seniors, students and youth. To purchase single tickets for this and other WCO concerts, contact the Overture Center Box Office at 608-258-4141 or visit www.overturecenter.com.

A pre-concert dinner and talk will be held in Overture Center's Wisconsin Studio before the concert. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the evening's program from Maestro Sewell. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for youth. Reservations may be made by contacting the WCO at (608) 257-0638 before Friday, January 12.

Press Contact:
Tracy Fischer
Marketing Coordinator
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
22 N. Carroll Street, Suite 104
Madison, WI 53701
(608) 257-0638
fax (608) 257-0611
tracyfischer@wcoconcerts.org