How Harborough musicians have made their first recording from their kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and garages

“It was quite a challenge playing without a musical director and when you can’t hear each other, but we’ve given it a good go - We hope you like the result!”
The nine members of the Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra performing are, left to right:top rowAnn Churcher (soprano sax), Jonathan Shaw and Anne Hanson (alto sax);middle rowStephen Bashforth, Jane Smith and Kathy Davison (alto sax);bottom rowKathryn Leeming and David Fiander (tenor sax) and Liz Pearce (baritone sax).The nine members of the Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra performing are, left to right:top rowAnn Churcher (soprano sax), Jonathan Shaw and Anne Hanson (alto sax);middle rowStephen Bashforth, Jane Smith and Kathy Davison (alto sax);bottom rowKathryn Leeming and David Fiander (tenor sax) and Liz Pearce (baritone sax).
The nine members of the Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra performing are, left to right:top rowAnn Churcher (soprano sax), Jonathan Shaw and Anne Hanson (alto sax);middle rowStephen Bashforth, Jane Smith and Kathy Davison (alto sax);bottom rowKathryn Leeming and David Fiander (tenor sax) and Liz Pearce (baritone sax).

Musicians in Market Harborough have been hitting all the right notes in their kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and garages during the coronavirus crisis – making their first recording.

The intricate masterpiece by Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrieli has been recorded by Market Harborough-based Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra.

The beautifully-complex work features two separate ‘choirs’, each comprising a soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone part, played by nine members of the 14-strong orchestra.

Called ‘Sacrae Symphoniae’ (sacred symphonies), it was written by Gabrieli over 400 years ago in 1597, originally for brass instruments.

It has been arranged for saxophones by the orchestra’s regular bass sax player Jonathan Shaw, who also spliced all the individual parts together.

“It’s been great to have a project to work on while we’ve been in lockdown and unable to meet and rehearse,” said Jonathan.

“It was quite a challenge playing without a musical director and when you can’t hear each other, but we’ve given it a good go.

“We hope you like the result!”

You can hear the piece, with an accompanying video, on the orchestra’s website at www.phoenixsax.org.uk/gabrieli and also on their Youtube channel (search for ‘Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra’).

The Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra was formed in January 2020 for adults to enjoy playing the saxophone together and to share the versatility of the sax with a wider audience.