SONATA FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE & PIANO (2013, rev.2016)
1 - Piano Score PDF (9in x 12in)
1 - Part PDF (9in x 12in)
PDFs delivery:
Watermarked PDFs–personalized & licensed for your exclusive performance use–will be emailed to you within 24 hours of placing this order.
*The Solo Alto Saxophone part is exactly the same for performance with Wind Ensemble or Piano. When performed as a solo with Piano, the piece carries the title "Sonata," and when performed with Wind Ensemble, the title is "Concerto."
DURATION
16 minutes, 15 seconds
PROGRAM NOTE
When saxophonist Andrew Harrison first approached me about writing a piece for alto saxophone and piano, I jumped at the opportunity to write for a player of such superb abilities and fine musicianship. I was also delighted to learn that we share a mutual admiration for classic Hollywood film scores. Andrew expressed a special fondness for film noir soundtracks, such as Jerry Goldsmith’s Chinatown, Miklos Rozsa’s Double Indemnity, and Bernard Herrmann’s final score for the film Taxi Driver, with its dark thematic content and legendary sax solos.
In the first movement, the saxophone bolts forward with brilliance and energy. An equally virtuosic piano counterpart constantly amps up the tension, making for a lightning fast musical repartee.
The second movement demonstrates the lyric capacity and sonic richness of the saxophone. In setting this dark middle movement, I strove to write sweeping lines and lush, noir-inspired textures. The music here is lonesome and pensive, creating a warm atmosphere of haunting pathos.
The final movement is a jaunty escapade based on a lyrical, sweet melody. The tune meanders through a series of developments and variations, all the while showing off the saxophone’s extensive range, bright timbral possibilities, and extraordinary agility.
– Jules Pegram (2016)