Concerto for Saxophone

(2010) - alto saxophone and piano

Duration: approx. 15 minutes

Perusal Score

The Concerto for Saxophone is in three movements: Trial and Error, Research, and Realization. The first movement, Trial and Error, shows the saxophonist attempting to create a reasonable motive for the whole concerto. Just as the motive appears to be reaching completion, an outbreak of denial intervenes, forcing them to begin anew. This pattern of trial and error continues throughout the movement until the frustrated saxophonist decides to give up for the day. The loud cluster chord in the piano represents this gesture.

The second movement, Research, finds the saxophonist researching ideas on how to develop a well-crafted motive. As they searches for new ideas, they find themselves lost in an ominous setting. They eventually finds his way back and continues their search for new ideas. As in the first movement, they are frustrated by their inability to conjure motives appropriate for the task.

The third and final movement, Realization, shows the saxophonist in a state of exhaustion; they consider giving up the whole concerto. While they linger through the motives, the pianist recalls the numerous times of denial through its soft, complex chords - chords that are reminiscent of the previous two movements. Suddenly, the saxophonist discovers the means for reaching the end. They restores a portion of the first movement, remodeling it to serve as the close in the final movement. The saxophonist becomes aggressive and squeals their way into the air whereupon they lose control and plummets downward. The final piano cluster brings the concerto to a crashing close.

Premiered by: Edward Goodman, alto saxophone; Sangmi Lim, piano. Michigan State University Hart Recital Hall on April 15th, 2011