Spectral saxophone – Lecture at PHONOS

This lecture is free entry to all and free of charge – all are most welcome.

Contemporary saxophone player Jonathan Chazan, together with composer Gil Dori, will discuss their recent work hay que respirar, for saxophone and live electronics. The work features a new approach to saxophone sound production and a custom-made Ableton Live device for FFT processing.

This is part of an ongoing artistic research project led by Chazan. The project focuses on the physical spectral manipulation of saxophone sound. Chazan, an instrumentalist with a deep knowledge of saxophone mechanics, collaborates with two composers, Dori and Mateo Sforza, to create new spectral works for saxophone. Each composition approaches the idea of physical spectral manipulation in a different way. Dori explores spectral manipulation via embouchure positions, in combinations with digital spectral analysis and processing. Sforza examines combinations of keys and fingering positions to achieve spectral manipulation.

Chazan will explain and demonstrate both approaches, showing how they function as an expressive compositional tool within the two pieces. Dori will talk about the composition process and creating the FFT effect.