by Evan Kory –

The last program of the SCFPA Holiday Series presented an eclectic mix of music composed for saxophone and percussion- a combination that is becoming more and popular for its unique sonority among composers. The performers Michael Weiss and Elizabeth Soflin came back to Patagonia for their third concert at the opera house. This livestream concert was Michael Weiss’s first performance since February 2020.

A very special work on the program, movements from Maslanka’s songbook, was dedicated to University of Arizona Professor Emeritus Gregg Hanson in thanks for all he taught Michael and Elizabeth when they played in his wind ensemble and to honor him after his passing in November 2020.

Program: African Marketplace – Abdullah Ibrahim – arr. Kai Stensgaard Cactus Juice – Keeghan Fountain Jupiter – Gustav Holst – arr. Nathan Daughtery Vertical River – Blake Tyson Want It Need It Have It – Adam Silverman Songbook, Song for Davy #5 Summer Song – David Maslanka.