Dark Rain: The Power Of The Saxophone In Perth

Saxophonist Matt Styles in interview with Scenestr. on Andy Scott's 'Dark Rain'

The music of acclaimed British composer Andy Scott will be played in a double concerto for saxophones and wind orchestra, performed by world-renowned saxophonist Rob Buckland and cross-genre saxophone player Matt Styles.
The two performers will be joined by the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Here, Matt Styles answers some questions about the performance.

First of all, what is 'Dark Rain'?
This is a concert that features a brilliant award-winning piece of music called 'Dark Rain' that brings together a heap of different musical styles – classical, jazz, avant garde and things in between performed in the amazing concert hall at All Saints College. It features two sax soloists in front of a powerful wind band (the WAAPA Wind Ensemble) that have to play some of the highest notes known to the saxophone! It’s hard, incredible and loads of fun. The rest of the concert also features the WAAPA wind band by itself and other sax pieces played by one of the world’s best sax players, Rob Buckland.

What kind of preparation goes into a performance like this?
Practise, practise, practise… Seriously, it takes about 12 months logistical preparation which includes (if I can remember!) music preparation, rehearsal scheduling, arranging funding and a Visa for our visiting artist, months of practise, production meetings, negotiation with the venue, a constant barrage of emails and belief that this venture will work! The WAAPA students have been practising hard and making sure they’ve got the right idea for this really tricky, but brilliant piece.


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