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Barbara Thompson, Perpetual Motion. Apollo Saxophone Orchestra, Rob Buckland and Andy Scott: directors. Nimbus Alliance NI6200, 2012

This album of virtuoso works for twelve-part saxophone ‘orchestra’ builds on a series of previous collaborations between the composer and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, founded by Buckland and Andy Scott. It includes reworked and expanded material from Thompson's second Saxophone Quartet and also a big band work, ‘Celebration’, which Buckland reconstructed from the original hand-written score. In the original version, there is a drum solo played by Thompson’s husband, Jon Hiseman (who also produced this recording), which Buckland transcribed and then harmonised together with the composer to create a virtuosic solo for the sopranino saxophone (see accompanying scores). There is also some brand new material added to create a varied and innovative suite. Thompson’s highly-specialised knowledge of what saxophones can do provides some intriguing effects (she is one the UK’s most illustrious saxophonists, although no longer able to play). In ‘Celebration’, key clicks are used to simulate a drum track; in the tracks ‘Red’ and ‘Black’, multi-phonic overtones are used across all saxophones to create 30 (or more)-part ‘chords’ – each player generating three- or four-note multi-phonics from the same key centre to create an ‘other-worldly’ sound. ‘Dear Bach’ sets the four soloists on top of organ-like choral backings, and through extensive experimentation during the composition and rehearsal processes, the scoring and voicing of the music was manipulated to create textures which transform the perceived sound of saxophones to suggest strings, voices, woodwinds and so on – a truly orchestral palette of colours. Buckland’s experience as arranger, composer and saxophone ensemble leader, combined with Thompson’s flexible and creative approach to compositional process ensured a truly collaborative project (see accompanying mails). The Apollo Saxophone Orchestra was especially put together for the recording, and comprises the four members of the Apollo Saxophone Quartet leading a section; the other players are Buckland’s ex-students.