Saxophone Concerto in E-Flat Major

From Wind Repertory Project
Alexander Glazunov

Alexander Glazunov (trans. Joseph Kreines)


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This work bears the designation Opus 109.


General Info

Year: 1934 /
Duration: c. 13:20
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Alto saxophone and orchestra
Publisher: Aeolus Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $100.00


Movements

1. Allegro Moderato – 3:40
2. Andante – 4:50
3. Allegro – 4:45


Instrumentation

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


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Concerto in E flat major for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Op. 109, was written by Alexander Glazunov in 1934. It is deeply rooted in Romanticism, and has entered the standard saxophone repertoire.

Although invented in the early 1840s, the saxophone was still fairly new and unfamiliar in Glazunov's day; it remained untouched for a long time as it was considered "middle class". However, Glazunov was enthralled by the sound of the saxophone: a new timbre in the musical world.

The work premiered in Nyköping, Sweden, on 25 November 1934, with Sigurd Raschèr, a famous German saxophonist, as soloist. It is Raschèr who is credited for bringing about the concerto's composition. He hounded Glazunov for a saxophone concerto, so much so that the composer wrote to a colleague that he had started the piece in March "under the influences of attacks rather than requests from the Danish (sic) saxophonist named Sigurd Rascher". He completed the work in June 1934.

Glazunov almost certainly never heard his Saxophone Concerto publicly performed, as the first Paris performance of the work did not occur until after his death.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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  • Manhattan Wind Ensemble (New York City) (Sarah Fernandez, conductor; Max Scheiber, alto saxophone) - 11 March 2023
  • Oregon State University (Corvallis) Wind Ensemble (Erik Leung, conductor; Benson Truong, alto saxophone)) - 26 May 2021
  • Indiana University (Bloomington) Symphonic Band (Eric M. Smedley, conductor) – 11 February 2020
  • University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) Symphonic Band (Jamal Duncan, conductor; Eric Troiano, also saxophone) – 30 April 2017
  • University of Hawaii Aloha Concert (Jeffrey Boeckman, conductor; Todd Yukumoto, also saxophone) - 21 April 2013


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources