PRESS
“A marvelous performance... extremely sensitive dynamically, with a beautiful sound!”
“Many thanks for your lovely performance of ‘Lacrimosa’ today. You played the piece with great sensitivity and a deep understanding of my musical intentions. A composer could not ask for more.”
“Words fall short to describe the impact of your music.”
“You both sound beautiful. Listening to it made me tear up… Thanks so much—it brought me some much-needed joy to hear Sanctuary played so beautifully.”
“Joshua Heaney and Benjamin Nylander execute Alchemy with the elegant precision, resonance, and introspection necessary to formulate a sparkling and emotionally charged elixir of sound.”
“Saxophone & piano duo finds the right chemistry on Alchemy!”
“Alchemy is an intense experience, and it struck me in a powerful way upon first hearing it…an outstanding release absolutely worth purchasing.”
“Dear Joshua, thank you! LOVED IT SO MUCH! AMAZING! Beyond grateful to you for conducting and to all your musicians [for premiering Rings of Light]!”
DICOGRAPHY
ALCHEMY - Album This release features contemporary music for saxophone and piano concerned with exploring a fundamentally intertwined relationship. Performed by saxophonist Joshua Heaney and pianist composer Benjamin Nylander, each piece is highly idiomatic for each instrument and makes full use of a wide pallet of techniques, colours, and sounds. The end result is a collection of music that could not be possibly performed on any other combination of instruments. Seeking novel expression, story telling, and human connection through contemporary music. ALCHEMY presents a curated selection of new music by established and emerging composers alike. John Anthony Lennon and Marilyn Shrude represent the most esteemed names of the roster, and both composers are well recognised for their deep body of work and accolades. Viet Cuong and Mischa Zupko both represent among the most talented and distinct voices within this generation of emergent composers. Benjamin Nylander represents the latest generation of promising young composers and provides a glimpse into the direction of music to come in the future.
“Joshua Heaney and Benjamin Nylander execute Alchemy with the elegant precision, resonance, and introspection necessary to formulate a sparkling and emotionally charged elixir of sound.” - Mary Claire Murphy, host of “Morning Classics,” WGTE FM 91
“Saxophone & piano duo finds the right chemistry on Alchemy!” - David Dupont, BG Independent News
“Alchemy is an intense experience, and it struck me in a powerful way upon first hearing it…an outstanding release absolutely worth purchasing.” - Kevin Norton, Saxophone Symposium Journal
Track Listing
John Anthony Lennon: Distances Within Me (1979)
Marilyn Shrude: Lacrimosa (2006, premiere recording)
Mischa Zupko: Simple Song (2019, premiere recording)
Benjamin Nylander: Body of Water (2022, premiere recording)
Viet Cuong: Sanctuary (2020, premiere recording)
Commercially released through the Clarinet & Saxophone Classics label (CC0082, UPC 5023581008222)
Sanctuary - Single Composed by Viet Cuong, performed by Joshua Heaney and Benjamin Nylander. Commercially released in 2022 as a single through Octiive (QZKWA2035192, UPC 665275723322). Available on all major digital music streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.
Reed Phase - Single Composed by Steve Reich, performed by Joshua Heaney via multitrack. Commercially released in 2019 as a single through Octiive (QZKWA2029152, UPC 793519189174). Available on all major digital music streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.
Roadless Composed by Stephen Wood and recorded with the Akira Quartet. Commercially released in 2018 through CD Baby (796017595492), on “Untrammeled” album. Available on all major digital music streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.