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From A Far Off World
Demetrius Spaneas
On FROM A FAR-OFF WORLD (2006), saxophonist and bass clarinetist Demetrius Spaneas performs compositions for woodwinds and electronics. Along with two interludes for alto saxophone composed by Spaneas, the album includes Shaun Naidoo’s Walking in the Dirt for bass clarinet and Blood on the Pattern for alto saxophone, along with Jane Brockman’s Tagore Songs for soprano saxophone.
While both Naidoo and Brockman include electronics in their pieces, Sean Heim’s Blood Memory for bass clarinet differs with its juxtaposition of woodwinds with the use of an electric shruti box, a harmonium-like instrument traditionally used in Indian classical music to create a droning effect.
Music Web International hailed Spaneas as a “champion of contemporary music for classical and jazz woodwinds,” highlighting his “great interest in music from the Balkans and Far East.” The site praised Spaneas’ performances throughout, particularly focusing on his “impressive bass clarinet playing showing his complete mastery of a very difficult and challenging instrument.”
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Artist Information
Demetrius Spaneas
Composer, saxophonist, and educator Demetrius Spaneas has been a featured soloist and composer at major concert venues and international festivals in the U.S., Eastern Europe, and Asia. He was formerly Composer-In-Residence for both the New York City Con Edison and the Bay Area Chamber Symphony Orchestra in San Francisco, California.