Books
Sax and His Saxophone
Adolphe Sax and His Saxophone
Written by Léon Kochnitzky, Adolphe Sax and His Saxophone was first published in 1949 by the Belgian Government. For decades this booklet was one of the few resources for information about the life of the inventor of the saxophone. This is the fourth edition, copyrighted in 1985 by NASA and appended with commentary by famed saxophonist Sigurd Rascher.
The numerous difficulties of Sax’s life, including his health problems and the many lawsuits brought against him by jealous instrument manufacturers, are presented. Also discussed are other inventions of his abundantly creative mind, along with numerous contemporary observations by Berlioz, Kastner, and other nineteenth-century figures.
The soft cover pamphlet is 49 pages in length with 14 period photographs and illustrations. It remains one of the basic standard references for one of the most important instrument makers in history and the origins of his most famous creation.
A Brief History of the World Saxophone Congress
A Brief History of the World Saxophone Congress 1969-2000
Written by Thomas Liley, A Brief History of the World Saxophone Congress 1969-2000 provides an overview of the first twelve Congresses. Included are Forewords by the creators of the first Congress, Paul Brodie and Eugene Rousseau, and information about the beginnings of the event.
In addition to commentary about each Congress, there is a review of the original goals as stated by Brodie and how they have been met. The changes that have occurred over the period are summarized, along with suggestions for future Congresses.
The soft cover booklet is 44 pages in length with 17 illustrations, including copies of the complete programs of the first two Congresses. It is the only published source for information about the World Saxophone Congress.
Larry Teal: There Will Never Be Another You
Larry Teal: There Will Never Be Another You
NASA is pleased to announce the inaugural volume of the North American Saxophone Alliance Biographical Series. Larry Teal: There Will Never Be Another You, written by Dr. Mary Durden Teal¸ traces the life of the first university professor of saxophone in the United States. Dr. Mary Teal, professor emeritus at Eastern Michigan University, is a highly regarded author whose work is found in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the New Grove Dictionary of Opera.
The biography follows Larry Teal’s career from vaudeville, the popular music of the 1920s, theater and radio orchestras, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra through his groundbreaking tenure at the University of Michigan. Teal’s relationship with Bernhard Heiden, who wrote his famous Sonata for him is discussed, as well as Teal’s historic performances of Glazounov’s Concerto and the Concertino da Camera by Ibert.
The soft cover book is 272 pages in length and is generously illustrated with 24 photographs. It provides a window to the history of the saxophone in the United States and how it was influenced by one of our instrument’s most significant teachers.