There was standing room only when I arrived at the North Dakota Museum of Art on Sunday. Curators were hurrying to find more chairs as the eastern gallery filled for the performance of the Italian Saxophone Quartet. As the hour drew near and the musicians gathered themselves in the hall, Grand Forks’ finest array of music-lovers bustled and babbled excitedly in their seats. It was to their extreme surprise and delight that the first few notes rang out from the back of the room. A gasp and a hush and a shuffle of coats accompanied the music the saxists played as they made their way through the aisles to the front. The audience was captivated from those first surprising notes to the end of the show. For the third time in Grand Fork’s history, the Italian Saxophone Quartet delivered a stellar performance to the community. 

The longstanding group has performed all over the world and received multiple awards including the First Prize at “Premio Ancona,” a prestigious competition held in Italy. It is made up of Federico Mondelci on soprano saxophone, Julian Brodski on alto, Silvio Rossomando on tenor, and Michele Paolino on baritone. Though Brodski and Rossomando admitted they were relatively new to the group, each member displayed thoroughly as a master of the craft.  

They played a selection ranging from Handel to Gershwin with precision and passion at Sunday’s show. Among the tunes, a few favorites seemed to stand out to the audience. Fans of Bach stirred in recognition of the famous “Aria,” feet were tapping during the selections of “Porgy and Bess” and many eyes were closed during the dramatic swells of the modern space-themed piece, “Cycles.” Audience members never failed to cheer loudly and smile broadly at the conclusion of each song.  

Presented by the Myra Foundation, as part of a series of gallery concerts, the event held special significance to several different groups. Carolyn Fischer sponsored the concert in memory of Raymond Fischer, her late husband. Fischer wrote that her husband was a life-long educator and music-lover. He taught at UND for 18 years.  

Dr. Scott Sandburg of UND’s Music Department and his saxophone players were also there. Mondelci, the quartet’s soprano and spokesperson, enthusiastically called the students to the front for a photo opportunity at the end of the show.  

Mondelci urged me after the show, with equal enthusiasm, to mention a photography exhibit he had contributed to the museum. In a rich Italian accent, he explained his connection to the photographer, Lorenzo Cicconi Massi, as I inspected the prints. There were two high contrast, black and white whimsical images of multiple women outdoors. The artist’s description posted next to the photographs read that they were part of a greater series designed to be an “affectionate tribute to women.” They remain in the museum for the community’s future enjoyment. 

Though far from a chamber music connoisseur I may be, I confidently deem the event an enjoyable one. Its overall appeal was no doubt reinforced by the pleasant little wine and cheese bar that followed the performance. Eventgoers no doubt left the occasion satisfied and uplifted.  

Quindelynne Davis is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].