Philharmonic features rare chance to hear classical saxophone ‘king’

Alto saxophonist Eugene Rousseau headlines the second concert in the Las Vegas Philharmonic's 10th anniversary Masterworks series, scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday at Artemus Ham Hall, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

"To have somebody who is a legend on his instrument is always very exciting," said Las Vegas Philharmonic musical director David Itkin, who will conduct. "And Eugene Rousseau is every bit of that."

Rousseau will perform Tomasi's Concerto for Alto Saxophone with the Philharmonic in between concert-opener "The Hebrides" by Mendelssohn and closer "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakoff.

"Eugene is the king of the classical saxophone, and he has been for more years than you would think possible when you meet him," said Itkin, who met Rousseau in 2005, when he flew to Slovenia specifically to conduct him in the 14th World Saxophone Congress.

"If he wasn't there, I probably wouldn't have taken the gig," Itkin said.

In September, Itkin had Rousseau open his season with the Abilene Philharmonic in Texas, which Itkin also directs.

"I think he'll be very popular in Las Vegas, too," Itkin said. "If you've never heard classical saxophone before, you're in for an extraordinary treat.

"The opportunities in your lifetime to hear somebody who does what they do better than anyone else alive are few and far between."

The Philharmonic's season consists of the Masterworks and Pops series, performed onstage, and the Connoisseur Series, performed in private homes. This season's first Masterworks concert, on Sept. 6, featured pianist Misha Dichter. The third, featuring cellist Zuill Bailey, will be on Feb. 14.

General admission tickets for Saturday's show are $25 to $75; $22.50 to $67.50 for seniors and students. Call 895-2787 or visit lasvegasphilharmonic.com for tickets.

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0456.