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Concerto for Alto Saxophone (Bryant)

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Steven Bryant

Steven Bryant


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 26:50
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Gorilla Salad
Cost: Score and Parts - $450.00 (rental)   |   Score Only - $95.00


Movements

1. Movement I - 4:35
2. Movement II - 16:00
3. Movement III - 5:45


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II-III (I doubling Alto Flute; III doubling Piccolo)
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet (optional)
Solo Alto Saxophone
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 I-II
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cymbal Scrape
  • Glockenspiel
  • Sandpaper Blocks
  • Shakers
  • Splash Cymbal
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Concerto for Alto Saxophone is my third concerto, which is somewhat ironic since I always said I didn't like concerti and never planned to write one. This one was a particular challenge, though, since the alto sax was my primary instrument throughout high school and college. One might think that would make it easier to compose for, but I found I had to set aside my own limitations as a player, particularly the fact that I haven't played regularly in 20 years, and explore the incredible virtuosity of the soloist for whom this piece is written, Joseph Lulloff. I wanted to showcase both his technical prowess as well as his extraordinary jazz improvisation skills, even going so far as to record and transcribe some of his improvisations during a collaborative session while I was composing the work. All three movements are constructed from a single motive, which is itself derived from the opening notes of Paul Creston's Sonata for Alto Saxophone, a staple of the solo saxophone repertoire and something I played during my college years as a music major.

Movement I is an exploration of music that is simultaneously extremely quiet and extremely fast, inspired by the first movement of John Corigliano's Clarinet Concerto. The middle movement grew from the recorded improvisatory gestures mentioned above. I reharmonized several of these to create a melancholic texture around the soloist, serving as the intimate heart of the entire work. Movement III unleashes the soloist and ensemble in high-speed interplay, again derived from the same central motive. Most of all, I strove to create a work that explores and celebrates the idiomatic characteristics of the saxophone.

- Program Note by composer


Howard J. Gourwitz commissioned Steven Bryant to write this concerto as a gift to saxophonist Joseph Ludloff and the Michigan State University Wind Symphony, Dr. Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor.


Media


Awards

  • Winner of the 2014 American Bandmasters Association Sousa / Ostwald Award


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • DePaul University (Chicago, Ill.) Wind Symphony (Erica Neidlinger, conductor; Jeremy Ruthrauff, alto saxophone) - 3 March 2023
  • Allen (Tx.) High School Wind Ensemble (Philip A. Obado, conductor; Joseph Lulloff, alto saxophone) - 20 December 2022 (2022 Midwest Clinic)
  • University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Symphony Band (Michael Haithcock, conductor; Brian Kachur, alto saxophone) – 30 September 2022
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Mallory Thompson, conductor; Steven Banks, alto saxophone
) – 13 October 2017
  • Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Missal, conductor; Jeffrey Loeffert, also saxophone) – 16 February 2016
  • United States Navy Band (Washington, D.C.) (Kenneth Collins, conductor; Joseph Lulloff, saxophone) – 6 January 2017 (George Mason University)
  • Dallas (Tex.) Winds (Jerry Junkin, conductor; Joe Lulloff, saxophone) – 11 October 2016
  • Michigan State University Wind Symphony (Kevin L. Sedatole, conductor; Joseph Lulloff, alto saxophone) – 29 October 2015
  • Polizeiorchester Bayern (Munich, DE), SaxOpen 2015 World Saxophone Congress (Strasbourg, France), (Johann Moesenbichler, conductor, Joseph Lulloff, alto saxophone) - 10 July 2015
  • United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) (Dennis Zeisler, conductor; Jeremy Koch, alto saxophone) - 6 March 2015
  • World Youth Wind Orchestra Project 2014 (Kevin Sedatole, conductor, Joseph Lulloff, alto saxophone) - 12 July 2014
  • Michigan State University Wind Symphony (Kevin Sedatole, conductor; Joseph Lulloff, alto saxophone) - 22 April 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Bryant, S.; Creston, P. (2014). Concerto for Alto Saxophone [score]. Gorilla Salad Productions: [Durham, N.C.].
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