Saxophone and Piano by Frederick Lesemann

Website(s) : http://www.laphil.com/philpedia/frederick-lesemann / http://www.john-hallberg.com

A new work for alto saxophone (John Hallberg) and piano (Wenjing Liu) composed by Frederick Lesemann. The piece will utilize both instruments’ full potential and the idioms mentioned above.

Biography

John Hallberg, a Southern California native, has performed across the U.S., throughout Europe, and Hong Kong. He is currently on faculty at The Colburn School as a Saxophone Teaching Artist. John is pursuing a DMA at the University of Southern California, and also holds a MA from The University of Iowa and a BM from California State University, Long Beach. His primary instructors have included Dr. Douglas Masek, Dr. Kenneth Tse, and James Barrera. He also received additional instruction from Dr. Eugene Rousseau and Dr. Thomas Liley. Pianist Wenjing Liu has performed across the U.S., China, and Italy. She is completing a DMA from The University of Iowa. John and Wenjing met while studying at The University of Iowa and soon formed a duo to promote and premiere works for saxophone and piano.

More information

After several meetings with composer Frederick Lesemann, former protege composition student of Ingolf Dahl, he has agreed to compose a work for saxophonist John Hallberg and pianist Jason Lo. Lesemann has also studied with Joseph Wood and Richard Hoffmann. He has also received commissions from the Kronos Quartet, the Colonial Symphony, the Composers Duo, the Pasadena Chamber Orchestra, and the University of Southern California. He is former professor and chair of the composition department at The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

The current style that Lesemann has been composing in can best be described as beautiful, lush, atmospheric, and emotionally evoking. Lesemann likes to take the listener on a journey through his works, but likes to throw in twists and turns along the way that the listener may not be expecting. The piece is for alto saxophone and piano and will utilize both instruments’ full potential and the idioms mentioned above.

John and Jason, both active musicians throughout both domestic and international affairs, have worked closely with Lesemann to produce a work for saxophone and piano that will no doubt be a staple in the saxophone repertoire. The performance of Lesemann’s “Music for Saxophone and Piano” would be a world premier at the 17th World Saxophone Congress and would hopefully encourage saxophonists around the world to learn and perform this important and influential piece themselves.