Let the Darkness Out

Catherine Likhuta

Subtitle: Concerto for Alto Sax and Wind Symphony

General Info

Year: 2011 / 2019
Duration: c. 11:30
Difficulty: V+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Alto saxophone and piano
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $215.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo E-flat Alto Saxophone
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium I-II
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

Bass Drum
Bongos
Conga
Crash Cymbals (medium)
Glockenspiel
Gong (large)
Marimba
Snare Drum
Tambourine
Tom-toms (4)
Triangle (medium)
Vibraphone
Wind Chimes
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This saxophone concerto version of Let the Darkness Out was created for Michael Duke, John Lynch and The SCM [Sydney Conservatorium of Music] Wind Symphony. In its original 2011 version, Let the Darkness Out is a virtuosic sonata for alto saxophone and piano, and is one of my most internationally performed pieces to date.

Shortly after moving to Australia in 2012, I heard about Michael Duke as one of the country’s most prominent saxophonists and champions of new saxophone repertoire. Incidentally, around the same time, Michael was attending an international conference in the United States and heard about me and my music from the current president of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Griffin Campbell, who had toured Darkness for several concert seasons. Since then, I had great pleasure to collaborate with Michael and his internationally renowned ensemble HD Duo. At some point during our collaboration, Michael came up with the idea to turn Darkness into a saxophone concerto and gave me inspiration and support to make this idea a reality. I felt very comfortable (and excited!) making this new version for John Lynch and the SCM Wind Symphony -- one of the absolute best wind ensembles in the country. Inspired by these fine musicians, the piece aims to highlight the expressive and virtuosic features of a stellar saxophone soloist, matched and supported by a confident and powerful ensemble.

- Program Note by composer

Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Sydney (Aus.) Conservatorium of Music Wind Symphony (John Lynch, conductor; Michael Duke, alto saxophone) – 29 March 2019 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Resources

Catherine Likhuta website Accessed 12 February 2021
The Horizon Leans Forward…, compiled and edited by Erik Kar Jun Leung, GIA Publications, 2021, p. 393.
Likhuta, C. (2019). Let the Darkness Out : Concerto For Alto Saxophone and Wind Symphony [score]. Catherine Likhuta: [Australia?].
Perusal score