New Album “American Sonatas from Two Millennia” will be released on June 13th from Samek Music Classical Clarinet and Saxophone Recording Label.

In recent years, the classical saxophone has gained significant popularity in the musical community with its versatility, stunning tonal quality, and musical capabilities. Invented by Adolphe Sax for a symphonic purpose, the history of the saxophone enjoyed a vibrant development in Jazz and Classical music. Described by New York Concert Review as “A knockout performance", classical saxophonist Wonki Lee has distinguished himself as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation. Feeling equally at home in traditional and contemporary repertoire, his musical exploration has encompassed fascinations with the history of saxophone repertoire and interpreting original works for saxophone with new insights and understandings. As a Yamaha Performing Artist, Wonki Lee’s engagements extend globally. Er-Hsuan Li is a highly accomplished pianist. A native of Taiwan, Li has performed across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He is in great demand collaborating with concert saxophonists in the United States. 

The new album American Sonatas from Two Millennia features some of the best musical works written for saxophone and piano by American Composers. David Maslanka's music portrays deep human emotions and the breathtaking beauty of Montana's landscape. It will take you on a musical journey of tremendous turmoil and stunning beauty. This album is the premier recording of the new edition digitally engraved by his son Matthew Maslanka. Robert Muczynski takes the listener to Arizona's desert from the opening musical gesture. The listener will be drawn into a world of rhythmic and harmonic escapade with the broad dynamic range, the contrast in tempo, and the virtuosic interplay between the two instruments. Finally, the listener will experience an amalgamation of musical styles with Willaim Albright. The music is full of the manic drive, quirkiness, and rough edges that result from the rubbing together of starkly contrasting musical impulses of classical, jazz, ragtime, and contemporary music. All three sonatas have become cornerstones of classical saxophone repertoire. Wonki Lee and Er-Hsuan Li present invigorating interpretations of prodigious works with this album.