Saxophone Quartet
I conceived my Saxophone Quartet as an opera without words in the 'verismo' tradition: brief, high on edgy drama, and with an emphasis on contrasts. The piece falls into two short acts. The first opens with overlapping, continuously rising scales, perhaps the curtain rising on the drama. A transition brings a moment of repose as soprano, alto and baritone take turns with solos in different characters. The differences in personalities are emphasized in a free section that ushers in the return of the opening material. In the short, lyrical 'Entr'acte,' the tenor finally responds to the other three players. A mood similar to that of the Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana was the aim here. Act II begins as a passacaglia, which becomes irritated when the baritone enters. A fast, action-packed section ensues, leading to a climactic moment when the alto is left alone amidst the chaos. The work ends with a final energetic push that falls quickly to the depths of the ensemble."
Commissioned by the Iridium Quartet. Composed 2011.
Approximate Duration: 15 min.
Performance History
08 Oct 2011; Iridium Quartet; San Juan, PR (World Premiere)
08 Nov 2011; Iridium Quartet; Sacramento, CA
08 May 2019; Kazoku Quartet; Houston, TX
Recordings
Press
“…an exciting and vividly hued work which draws the listener in from its opening measures…” (David DeBoor Canfield, Fanfare, May/June 2015)