September Song

Frank Sinatra's 1962 album Point of No Return marked a key transitional moment in his career. It was both his final original album for Capitol Records, as well as the final time he would collaborate with arranger Axel Stordahl. Clearly in a nostalgic mood during the recording, Sinatra and Stordahl's work on September Song harken back to the sound and style that initially made Sinatra an icon in the 1940s. A rubato introduction with some sweeping string and woodwind figures sets the tone for the overall moody performance. Sinatra enters with the verse at measure 5, continuing the elastic feel from the introduction. The backgrounds are mostly simple, save for some brief woodwind flutters and continuous harp strumming. It is of utmost importance for the ensemble to follow the vocalist's pacing at all times until the tempo finally kicks in at measure 18. Moving at a dirge-like speed, Sinatra is allowed ample time to luxuriate in the dark yet embracing melody, with Stordahl expertly orchestrating various ensemble figures throughout to fill in the gaps. The most complex figures reside in the woodwind and string parts, and need to be approached with care in order to sound as effortless and romantic as possible. Although nothing in the brass parts are overly technically difficult, your musicians should constantly strive to attain a full, almost orchestral tone at all times. The arrangement never reaches an exceedingly high volume, but be sure to have some level of presence in order to allow for the ending to decay to near-nothingness.