Just 20 years old, Magnus von Brandis is already a multiple prize winner. This includes winning first prize of the very prestigious Norwegian Music Competition for Young People, earning the title Musician of the Year. The prize baggage included this appearance at the VIAFestival.

I imagined that all present at this wonderful concert looked forward to, with a lot of expectation, to finding out and experience what this young star had to offer.

We found out soon enough! What also became very evident was the accompanying role of Francis Camilleri. That is because most of the writing for piano definitely had more than a tinge of virtuosity about it. Actually it was with a bold piano flourish that the first work on the programme was launched. This was Rhapsody, by André Waignein (1942-2015) specifically meant to bring out the best of the saxophone and of course the performer. Obviously more taxing for von Brandis, it really was a successfully rendered showpiece, composed as a one-movement work. Yet is still in fact in three distinct sections. The outer movements were fast, energetic and ever clear. They were fired by the enthusiastic display of the two young men who between the musical pyrotechnics, could show midway, a tender restraint.

The arch-Romantic Robert Schumann (1810-56) composed his Fantasiestücke Op. 49 for clarinet and piano but this evening the three pieces were performed in an arrangement for altosax and piano. The warm tone of the former suited well the mood especially of the first pieces rendered with very tender expression. The second piece was lively and light, while there was some more strongly projected bold and fiery work in the final piece.

The concert included two solo pieces, the first of which was Tango Étude n. 3 by Astor Piazzolla, (1921-92). It was just a few minutes long by with a strong concentration of technical demands which wrested all the instrument’s and the performer’s capabilities. It was a much appreciated feat.

The last duo piece was Three Letter Word by Andy Scott (b.1966). This was composed in memory of the famous Swedish jazz musician Esbjörn Svensson (1964-2008) who died in a scuba diving incident close to Stockholm. The three letters words of the title are not about a single word consisting of three letters but coincidence coming from names or phrases which could be abbreviated leading to Rest In Peace.

The work is not one long mournful dirge but one of liveliness and bold statements supported by the virtuoso nature of the altosax. There were also intermittently recurring passages of a slow, doleful nature introduced by the piano amid several different mood settings. Indeed this is a most interesting tribute, commissioned by the survivors of the erstwhile famous Svensson Jazz Trio.

The concert ended with the second solo for altosax, Captice en forme de valse by Paul Bonneau (1918-95). The composer of course lays a lot of difficult hurdles across the performer’s path. This minefield was safely and ably crossed without any faltering. The breathing remained as amazing as it had been throughout the evening and the innate gracefulness of the waltz remained ever present.

Albert George Storace.