Lazy Afternoon

Canadian composer Byron Bellows is based in Toronto. This music reflects his continuing journey, and is a witness to the world to which he escapes. Byron is thrilled to share this beautiful, yet sometimes, enigmatic world with you. Born in Saskatchewan, Bellows has had a lifetime of composing. His two stage musicals Circus Lane and Egg On My Face have been performed in Canada. He is best known for his classical work, which has been performed both in Canada and the United States, with six World Premieres in New York, the most recent at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, performed by Javier Oviedo and the Classical Saxophone Chamber Orchestra under Jean-Pierre Schmitt.

One of the brightest soloists of the classical saxophone world, Javier Oviedo is acclaimed for his lustrous tone, passion, musicianship and formidable technique. Oviedo works tirelessly to present the saxophone as a unique, versatile and exciting classical instrument, and his continuing research has helped introduce the rich tradition of musical composition for the entire saxophone family, from sopranino to bass. He has commissioned and premiered a dozen new works, both in the United States and abroad. He is especially prized for his eclectic programs, which range from transcriptions of music by masters such as Bach and Mozart, music of 20th century masters such as Elliot Carter, Paul Hindemith and John Corigliano, in addition to new pieces written expressly for him. An active soloist, Oviedo has performed to great praise across the United States, having appeared with orchestras in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Texas. Internationally, he toured China, made his South American debut in Argentina, gave a world premiere in Barcelona and appeared with the Orchestre Lamoureux and L Orchestre a Cordes d Ariege in France. In spring 2011, he appeared with the National Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova, and later that year with the Oryol State Philharmonic in Russia. Oviedo made his Alice Tully Hall debut in June 2013 performing a newly-commissioned work, Samsara, by Helene Rasquier, a student of Maurice Durufle. Along with the New York performance, Oviedo gave the world premiere in Paris, and will give another with the Chattanooga Orchestra in 2015. Inspired by the success of the piece, Rasquier has composed a new work for him, which will be premiered at Weill Recital Hall, before being toured internationally. Also an accomplished chamber musician, Oviedo has performed in recital on many of New York’s prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the United Nations. He was an original member of the Elision Saxophone Quartet, based in his native Texas, which celebrates its 25th season in 2014. In New York, he was a founding member of the F.R.E.D. Chamber Players, which explored new or under-performed chamber music, theater pieces, plays and art from centuries old and new. Oviedo is a founding member and president of the Classical Saxophone Project, a natural extension of his research and performances. An important mandate of CSP is continuing education, where he works with young and old to keep classical music, and the saxophone, vital parts of the music world.

Praised for his precision and elegance at the podium, French-born conductor Jean-Pierre Schmitt was trained in the purest French conducting tradition under the tutelage of his friend and mentor Jean Fournet. In France, he worked with the Conservatory Paris V youth orchestras and the International Orchestra. He has since conducted around the world as an invited guest on several occasions to lead the Philharmonic Orchestra of Macedonia, National Orchestra of Moldova and State Philharmonic Orchestra in Russia. In the United States, Schmitt has conducted the Classic Chamber Orchestra of Orchestra of Connecticut, New York Lawyers Orchestra and Monte Vista Chamber Orchestra.

Track list:

1. In This House 4:30

2. J’attends le printemps 4:57

3. Simone – C’est ma folie 3:05

4. The Magic Chair 5:45

5. The Merry Go Round 3:55

6. Mein Trauer Fur Bluma 4:42

7. Lazy Afternoon 5:18

8. Three O’Clock 9:23

9. Good Night 6:18

Performers:
Javier Oviedo, Saxophone
St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Jean-Pierre Schmitt