Valentine Michaud (saxophones), Orchestra Wellington conducted by Marc Taddei
I. Mirologio
II. Movement II
III. Interlude
IV. Movement III
Zahara was inspired by Dean King's book Skeletons on the Zahara, a chronicle of the true story of twelve American sailors who were shipwrecked off the coast of Africa in 1815, captured by desert nomads, sold into slavery, and subjected to a hellish two-month journey through the perilous heart of the Sahara.
From the cold waters of the Atlantic to the searing Saharan sands, from the heart of the desert to the heart of man, Skeletons on the Zahara is a spectacular odyssey through the extremes and a gripping account of courage, brotherhood, and survival.
Valentine Michaud is a saxophonist of extraordinary depth and versatility, with a technique that perfectly blends musical finesse and compelling artistry. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Credit Suisse Jeunes Solistes (2017), and Jurjans Andrejs VI Woodwind International Competition, in 2020 Valentine was the first wind player to be awarded the prestigious Credit Suisse Young Artist Award.
The first ever saxophone soloist to perform with the Vienna Philharmonic, Valentine debued with the orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Lucerne Festival in 2023, where she performed the world premiere of the saxophone and orchestra version of Anders Hillborg’s Peacock Tales.
Recent highlights include debuts with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko performing the Glazunov saxophone concerto, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande with conductor Maxim Pascal performing John Adams Saxophone Concerto, as well as Valentine’s debut in the Lucerne Symphony’s recital series.
Valentine has appeared as a soloist, recitalist and in chamber music groups on many of the world’s leading stages, including KKL Luzern, London’s Wigmore Hall, Grand Philharmonic Hall St Petersburg, Wiener Konzerthaus, Tonhalle Zurich, Geneva’s Victoria Hall and the Great Guild Hall in Riga, amongst others.
Recorded by RNZ Concert at the Michael Fowler Centre, 03 June, 2023
Producer, engineer: David Houston
