Doug O'Connor - Baljinder Sekhon: Alchemy (2021) Hi-Res

Magic, process, intuition, and community intersect in this offering of works for saxophone, an exhibition of musical architecture, sculpture, and story. Composed, premiered, and recorded over a ten-year span, the works on Alchemy are the result of a decade-long collaboration between Doug O'Connor and Baljinder Sekhon. These compositions present the saxophone in a variety of settings, from saxophone quartet with real-time electronics to saxophone ensemble to featuring the saxophonist as a soloist with orchestra (The Offering) and percussion ensemble (Gradient 2.0+). This collection of works explores the intersections of musical elements, ranging from the sounds created by the various instruments involved to the structural parameters of the composition. These works seek to connect pitch and time in various ways while melding sounds together through the employment of alternate and traditional techniques. Sometimes driven by shape and sometimes shaped by narrative, these pieces offer the listener space to explore magical and methodological musical worlds. The music of Baljinder Sekhon has been presented in over 500 concerts in twenty-six countries. From works for large ensemble to solo works to electronic music, Sekhon's music demonstrates a wide range of genres and styles. His works have been performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Seoul Arts Center (Korea), and National Recital Hall (Taiwan). Thirteen commercial recordings of his work have been released, with his most recognized output being his contributions to the percussion and saxophone genres. Alchemy is the second full album of Sekhon's work released on Innova Records, with the first album entitled Places & Times featuring works for percussion.