Jenö Takács (1902 – 2005) I. Tempo rubato II. Tempo giusto
Takács, an Austrian composer of Hungarian descent, developed a multicultural view, probably helped by his time spent in Egypt, the Philippines, the US, and Hungary. In 1938, he made his first trip to the US, and in 1939, moved to Sopron in Hungary where he was director of the Conservatory in Pécs.However, the Nazi authorities made his life difficult. From 1942 to 1952, he conducted concert tours in Europe and America and was visiting professor at the conservatories of Geneva and Lausanne.
“Two Fantastics” is the only piece for saxophone and piano written by him, and dates to 1969.It is written in slow-fast sequence with the first section sounding mysterious and dramatic. The second, though similarly lively and syncopated, is much more explicit in embracing a jazz-based musical language, including overt boogie-woogie elements. This movement is quite engaging, and concludes the piece with a smile.Michael Krenn
Classical Music | Music for Saxophone
Jenő Takács
Two Fantastics for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Op. 88 Play
Recorded on 08/22/2012, uploaded on 12/13/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Jenö Takács (1902 – 2005)
I. Tempo rubato
II. Tempo giusto
Takács, an Austrian composer of Hungarian descent, developed a multicultural view, probably helped by his time spent in Egypt, the Philippines, the US, and Hungary. In 1938, he made his first trip to the US, and in 1939, moved to Sopron in Hungary where he was director of the Conservatory in Pécs. However, the Nazi authorities made his life difficult. From 1942 to 1952, he conducted concert tours in Europe and America and was visiting professor at the conservatories of Geneva and Lausanne.
“Two Fantastics” is the only piece for saxophone and piano written by him, and dates to 1969. It is written in slow-fast sequence with the first section sounding mysterious and dramatic. The second, though similarly lively and syncopated, is much more explicit in embracing a jazz-based musical language, including overt boogie-woogie elements. This movement is quite engaging, and concludes the piece with a smile. Michael Krenn
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata in C-sharp Major for Alto Saxophone and Piano
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
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