Classical saxophonist Nobuya Sugawa, left, teaches a student in a master class at Yamaha Artist Services Seoul, on July 14. The Japanese artist is known for showing the solo potential of the saxophone.
/ Korea Times photo by Michael Schreiber
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff reporter
For many Koreans the saxophone may evoke Cha In-pyo’s iconic 1990s screen persona, donning a shirt that’s unbuttoned a tad too low and rocking the instrument to woo a lady, or the likes of jazz legends like Sonny Rollins.
But this is no great surprise. While the saxophone possesses all the advantages of both the woodwind and brass families, it took a while since its invention in the 19th century for it to secure a more permanent spot in classical compositions. It didn’t help that in the years leading up to World War II in Germany, for example, the sax was banned along with other ``negro music’’ imports.
It was through Gershwinm along with Bernstein, Prokofiev and other modern composers, that it became a more regular part of classical scores. There thus seems to be a limit insofar as the general public is concerned for the sax to appear as a suitable rival of the violin or such.
In the Far East, one artist has been making waves by showing the solo potential of the sax, in both recitals and grand orchestral performances. Nobuya Sugawa makes about 100 stage appearances each year, alone or opposite such renowned ensembles as the Philharmonia or NHK Symphony, as well as in soundtracks for popular TV programs.
Sugawa may have won the grand prix of the 1st Japan Wind and Percussion Competition back in 1984, but it took him a good 20 years for his saxophone to shine in the spotlight.
``After graduating from university I played anywhere and anytime, like remote farm villages, to promote the saxophone. The saxophone is capable of a wide range of tones and colors, and I simply wanted to share its charms. After about 20 years of trying my best, I was able to draw people’s attention,’’ he told The Korea Times in Seoul last week.
His rise to fame moreover involved more than street busking and the like. A true pioneer, he made up for the shortage of classical scores dedicated to the sax by arranging, commissioning, buying and discovering compositions.
``It’s important for musicians to expand their horizons ― focusing on original classical scores for the saxophone isn’t enough. It’s the duty of the musician to make music easy to access and listen to for the public, and we must constantly explore what’s out there to find great music for the classical saxophone,’’ he said.
This is a point he likes to stress to students. In spite of his busy performing schedule he takes time to interact with aspiring artists. He was in town to give master classes and mini recitals at Yamaha Artist Services Seoul.
``I was very impressed by the Korean students. I was particularly struck by this one 12-year-old player. I see a lot of promise ― the kids here are very passionate, eager to learn and have good technique. But they need to pay more attention to the basics,’’ he said.
During a session with a 24-year-old student, Sugawa took time to make notes on his posture and breathing before delving into Demersseman’s Fantasie on an Original Theme. Song Dong-geon, following the session with the artist, said: ``It was a great opportunity to learn from someone I’ve always respected. He is famous for his fancy technique but it was interesting how he emphasized basic skills rather than technique. It was also really moving to watch his virtuosic performance right before my eyes during the concert.’’
In Japan many middle and high schools have brass bands ― as seen in the Japanese film ``Swing Girls’’ ― and so there are many amateur players of the saxophone, which naturally means a stronger pedagogical foundation and a wider pool of professional musicians. Korea, on the other hand, produces a whopping number of classical musicians near and far, but the instrument variety is usually limited to the piano or violin.
The sax has been receiving an increasing amount of exposure here as a classical instrument, with Sugawa being invited to perform as a soloist with the Seoul Symphony. ``It’s my hope to see more artistic exchange between Japanese and Korean musicians, particularly involving the saxophone.’’
Sugawa plays a Yamaha YAS-875EXG.
