for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones
Duration: 15 minutes
Three Movements for Saxophone Quartet is a collection of diverse character pieces. Each movement can be performed alone in concert, but when performed together they should always be played in the designated order.
The title of the first movement, Chorus, refers to both the four part chorale sections that appear throughout, as well as its ritualistic nature. There are sections in which each instrument is the primary voice, while the remainder of the ensemble comments in various ways.
In Dal Niente a wide variety of textures are explored, all with an ethereal quality.
The last movement, Con Brio, is to be played with aggressive abandon. It was inspired by the fire and energy heard in the wonderful collective improvisations that are integral to so much American music.
Audio (third movement):
score sample:
con-Brio-sample