Claim OwnershipHow I met Adolphe Sax, journeying through the History of the Saxophone
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© Álvaro Molina Cedena
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Welcome to the great story of Monsieur Sax. Through this podcast, created and produced by saxophonist Álvaro Molina, we will discover the most hidden corners of Adolphe Sax's life and navigate through the pages of time unraveling the most significant milestones in the history of the saxophone.
20 Episodes
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In 1845, in the French capital, what is known as the reform of French military music took place. Adolphe Sax engaged in a musical duel with Michele Carafa, director of Le Gymnase de Musique Militaire, an academy dedicated to the musical training of military musicians in the French army. To decide between the proposals presented, a concert was organized at Champ de Mars in Paris. The audience enthusiastically applauded the instrumental ensemble presented by Sax, who emerged victorious, thus introducing his instruments into French military bands, consequently increasing sales for his business. The establishment of the Republic in 1848 led to the removal of his instruments from the French army, until the restoration of the monarchy by Napoleon III returned Sax’s monopoly in the manufacture of musical instruments for the Imperial Guard of the nation.
After the successful concert held at the Herz Hall in Paris in 1844, organized by Hector Berlioz, Adolphe Sax received a visit from the Distin family. Due to the family's lack of musical virtuosity and their instruments failing to meet the necessary quality to disguise their imperfect performances, they relied on Sax to improve their musical instruments and achieve the coveted international success. However, despite Sax's assistance, the Distin family would soon betray him, disregarding their debt of gratitude towards the ingenious inventor. In 1844, a significant milestone occurred in the history of the saxophone, as it was included for the first time in an orchestral work composed by Jean-Georges Kastner: "Le Dernier Roi de Juda".
Rossini made a new visit to the workshops of our protagonist, Adolphe Sax, showing particular interest in his innovations, especially regarding the bass clarinet and the new saxophone. He was so impressed that he went as far as to say he had never heard anything so beautiful. Rossini's influence on the musical scene of the time opened doors for our protagonist's musical career, allowing him to establish connections with prominent figures in Italian music, such as Mr. Liverani, a distinguished Italian clarinet teacher, as well as Gaspare Spontini, a renowned opera composer and orchestra director in Italy.
In 1844, the saxophone took its first steps before the general public, thanks to the efforts of Adolphe Sax himself. Our protagonist not only used his workshops to produce innovative musical instruments but also transformed them into meeting points for prominent figures in the society, culture, and politics of Paris during that time.
The first official performance of the saxophone before an audience occurred at the “Salle des Concerts Herz” in Paris during a concert organized by the renowned composer Hector Berlioz. For this occasion, Berlioz adapted his composition "Chant Sacré" for six instruments, all of which were manufactured by Sax. Among them was the bass saxophone in C, successfully played by Adolphe Sax himself during that memorable performance, albeit not without some difficulties.
In a desperate attempt to preserve the sale of his workshop, Adolphe Sax becomes entangled in a subtle web of manipulations devised by an unscrupulous moneylender in collaboration with his own assistant. In the midst of this plot, our protagonist embarks on a fierce struggle to preserve his honor, confronting deceit and betrayals, challenging the cunning and ruthless schemes woven by his clever and merciless adversaries.
A seemingly humble assistant presents himself as the solution to his financial troubles, but soon will be revealed as a cunning conspirator. With promises of loyalty and honesty, the assistant orchestrates an elaborate plan to discredit Sax, leaving him facing numerous lawsuits and financial problems. Could the cruel enemies of our protagonist be behind these events?
Berlioz denounces the persecutions suffered by Sax worthy of the Middle Ages. Amid accusations, manipulations, and sabotage, Sax defies traditions, threatening the interests of manufacturers and veteran musicians of that time, as reflected in the report of the French Industry Exhibition. Amid intrigues and challenges, the unexpected turn will come with the arrival of an enigmatic gentleman to his workshop, holding uncertainty about the fate of Sax and his extensive musical legacy.
The journal “Revue et Gazette Musicale de Paris” received a letter from Mr. Sax on December 6, 1843, in which our protagonist responded to the harsh criticisms of the principal clarinetist of the Paris Opera. The letter emerged following the conspiracy driven against Sax by members of the ensemble in October of the same year.
In 1843, Italian composer G. Donizetti introduced Sax's bass clarinet in his opera "Don Sebastian," provoking opposition from the musicians of the Paris Opera, led by M. Carafa and the orchestra's principal clarinetist. This controversy reflected personal interests and the threat posed by Sax's innovations to the musicians of the time, as well as to traditional instrument manufacturers. The bass clarinet was ultimately removed from the score due to the strong opposition of the orchestra musicians.
In a modest warehouse, Adolphe Sax aims to establish a workshop for musical instruments, which will also serve as his residence. Like some great figures in our history, the protagonist of this novel will have to confront poverty. However, luck will soon smile upon him, albeit temporarily.
Adolphe Sax arrived in Paris in October 1842, facing severe financial difficulties and without his father's approval. There, he found the support of his closest friends, who played a crucial role in his extensive career, although he also had to contend with ruthless rivals, making his time in the French capital a process filled with deep adversities.
In this episode, our narrator brings to life the words written by the composer Hector Berlioz, author of the article published in the French newspaper "Journal des Débats" in June 1842. This publication, titled "Adolphe Sax and his instruments," arose after the meeting between the composer and our protagonist, Adolphe Sax. Berlioz's praise significantly contributed to the growth of the young inventor's reputation.
Jacques Fromental Halévy writes a letter to Adolphe Sax, praising his musical innovations and encouraging him to continue perfecting the musical instruments of the time. He emphasizes the importance of sound combinations in the orchestral field and the potential influence of his research in the realm of music. Halévy's words will strengthen Sax's determination to move to Paris definitively.
General Rumigny visits Adolphe Sax in Brussels to express his interest in the young musician's musical innovations. He will inform him about the reorganization of the military music corps in France, significant news for Sax. This visit will mark the beginning of the genius inventor's transition to Paris, where he will face numerous challenges and achieve glory in his musical career.
Despite prior rumors, at the Brussels Industrial Exhibition in 1841, Adolphe Sax officially presents the Bass Saxophone in C, the first member of the saxophone family that he would patent years later. Although he was nominated for the gold medal, the jury argued that he was too young for such an accolade. This event marked a pivotal point in his life and strengthened his desire to leave his country and move to Paris.
Our protagonist returns to Brussels after visiting the prestigious clarinetist François Dacosta in Paris in the year 1839. Despite facing numerous family losses, Sax is determined to continue his advancements and refinements in the field of music. During this time, the first rumors about his new instrument, the saxophone, were already being heard.
Adolphe Sax will achieve a significant milestone in his young musical career, presenting his innovative bass clarinet at the Industrial Exhibition of Brussels at the age of sixteen. His design substantially improved the resonance and tuning of the instrument, earning admiration, even from the renowned musician François-Antoine Habeneck. However, his success also provoked envy, especially from Louis Auguste Buffet. Sax patented his creation in 1838 and continued to refine it. Despite numerous debates about his contributions, Sax will leave an indelible mark on history.
During this stage, young Adolphe Sax began to excel on the musical scene of the time, capturing the attention of influential figures such as Maestro Gabriel Fauré, Valentin Bender, and Adrien-François Servais, among others. However, his early notoriety also stirred jealousy among several musicians and musical instrument manufacturers of this period. An incident that exemplifies the rivalry that Sax had to contend with in his youth was his confrontation with the clarinetist Monsieur Bachmann, which is narrated in this episode.
In this episode, we will place ourselves in the region of Wallonia, located in Belgium, specifically in the city of Dinant, the hometown of our protagonist. The narrative begins in the year 1814, a turbulent historical period marked by the fervor of the Industrial Revolution. In this context, the young Sax, significantly influenced by the figure of his father, will begin to discover and nurture his passion for music, as well as his skill in creating musical instruments.
Explore the astonishing story of one of the most significant figures of the 19th century. Immerse yourself in a journey filled with mysteries, rivalries, and deep emotions that come to life through time. Adolphe Sax's legacy will forever change the course of music and the course of history. Are you ready to delve into the exciting life of the genius who brought the saxophone to life?
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