Following his 2002 CD Music for Saxophone and Orchestra, for which he performed demanding vehicles by
Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert,
Milhaud, and
Villa-Lobos,
Theodore Kerkezos turns to more expressly lyrical fare for this 2004 release. While these six ballades may be less overtly virtuosic than the earlier disc's concertos, they provide different challenges for the performer, not least among them the ability to maintain timbral consistency over a wide range and breath control in exceptionally long phrases.
Kerkezos is clearly a skilled saxophonist, and his polished performances demonstrate both phenomenal technique and expressive depth. His program is a fine showcase for his talents and is fairly enjoyable for its variety, though the works are not especially deep or moving. The best-known selections are
Ravel's Pièce en forme de habanera and
Piazzola's Tango Suite, and these pleasant pieces are the disc's biggest attractions. Less familiar and inviting are the serious, concerto-like Ballades by Henri Tomasi and Frank Martin; and, obscure outside saxophone circles, the mournful Ballade by Dimitris Dragatakis and the flashy Czárdás by Pedro Iturralde receive their world-premiere recordings here. These minor works may appeal more to saxophone teachers and students than to a general audience. Naxos provides clear and vibrant sound.