TV/film/books Boston Saxophone Orchestra

[ESJohn]

This ad came up on the internet today. It's pretty neat to see so many saxophone players in one place. Those roaring 20's! What they must have been like!

Boston Saxophone Orchestra. Abdon Laus, Director using Buescher True Tone Saxophones by [Abdon Laus] | Ian Brabner, Rare Americana (ABAA)

[Likely Boston. After 1924.] Photograph, tinted. 14½ x 19¾ inches. Unique? An outstanding example in fine condition. Excellent circa 1920s photograph of the Boston Symphony Orchestra advertising Buescher True Tone Saxophones: "In late 1924, the first bassoonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra...

www.abebooks.com

 

[ESJohn]

I've been having a little fun trying to learn more about this orchestra. The founder, Abdon Laus, assembled quite a large gathering of saxophonists and sought to refocus the instrument back to the classics. Here are a few links to both Abdon Laus and the orchestra itself.
I've looked it up on the Boston Public Library site without success, but I did find an article published in 1926 about their first performance. I was hoping to find an image Maestro Laus himself, but so far have not found one.
It is interesting to read of the hostility in the USA concerning Germany because of the First World War. There is a city in Ohio known as North Canton which was once the village of New Berlin. Its' name was changed for the same reason. Makes me want to see "The Choral" movie that came out late last year.
Here are the links, presented for your enjoyment.
From Wikipedia:

Abdon Laus - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From the New York Public Library:

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/29b83ff0-c624-012f-53b5-58d385a7bc34?canvasIndex=0

By the way, a print of the article shown here may be purchased from the library. It might make a cool wall hanging for someone!

 

[pgboyd]

I hadn’t heard about “The Choral” - thanks for mentioning it. Now on my list! I love Mark Addy in just about anything.

 

[Grumps]

There are still full saxophone orchestras. Hudson Valley has one that Charlie (Graysax/The Sax Whisperer) plays with and there's a school in North Carolina that sends one to the Symposium to perform every year.

 

[PigSquealer]

There are still full saxophone orchestras. Hudson Valley has one that Charlie (Graysax/The Sax Whisperer) plays with and there's a school in North Carolina that sends one to the Symposium to perform every year.

Lots of information on web about them.
I’ll study up to see if they ave a C tenor player.

hudson valley saxophone orchestra at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Check out the Hudson Valley Saxophone Orchestra - Hudson Valley One

Paul Cohen, a collector of rare saxophones, will bring some of his collection to the Christmas concert at Arlington High School for a “show-and-tell,” including some unusual examples that Brellochs describes as looking “like they’re right out of a Dr. Seuss book.” Cohen’s collection is so good...

hudsonvalleyone.com

 

[PigSquealer]

I've been having a little fun trying to learn more about this orchestra. The founder, Abdon Laus, assembled quite a large gathering of saxophonists and sought to refocus the instrument back to the classics. Here are a few links to both Abdon Laus and the orchestra itself.
I've looked it up on the Boston Public Library site without success, but I did find an article published in 1926 about their first performance. I was hoping to find an image Maestro Laus himself, but so far have not found one.
It is interesting to read of the hostility in the USA concerning Germany because of the First World War. There is a city in Ohio known as North Canton which was once the village of New Berlin. Its' name was changed for the same reason. Makes me want to see "The Choral" movie that came out late last year.
Here are the links, presented for your enjoyment.
From Wikipedia:

Abdon Laus - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

From the New York Public Library:

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/29b83ff0-c624-012f-53b5-58d385a7bc34?canvasIndex=0

By the way, a print of the article shown here may be purchased from the library. It might make a cool wall hanging for someone!

Two very informative links ! Interesting how the Boston Saxophone Orchestra had 8 C Melody. The most I’ve ever seen listed anywhere.
Great to see the NYPL has digitized The Metronome Magazine archives.
The article you linked is dated January 1, 1926. You may also find articles in Presto or The Music Trade Review. Both are now digitized thanks to NAMM.

https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/Music-Trade-Review

eLibrary: Presto Magazine

Presto Magazine - 414 issues with 10816 pages from January 1920 - January 1941 - leading coin-op publication

elibrary.arcade-museum.com

 

[ESJohn]

Hudson Valley looks similar in size to the Saxophone Christmas in which I participated in December of 2023. I missed 2024 due to an upcoming surgery and 2025 was cancelled without explanation. It meets only for the Christmas holiday and enjoys only a 45-minute rehearsal before a single concert comprised of simple carols.
It's good to know that there is one that meets and performs on a regular basis.

 

[ESJohn]

You may also find articles in Presto or The Music Trade Review.

Wonderful references! I'm visiting Presto and am finding several mentions of Abdon Laus.
"Saxophone Is an Aid to Good Health." (May 24, 1924). I love it!
The Music Trade Review of July 4, 1925 also has an excellent small article about a concert of theirs. They certainly seemed to have a love affair with Buescher. 31 of 40 horns.