Soprano saxophone/alto saxophone : violin
(9 minutes)
Commissioned by Jason T. Laczkoski and Anna Draper
First performance - Friday, 20 January 2012
35th International Navy Band Saxophone Symposium
Chorus Room - George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia - USA
Programme Notes
Whilst I was listening to several ensembles playing folk music during a festival weekend
in Linz am Rhein, the influence of this music on many compositions of the Romantic period
became immediately clear. It is these images that were in my mind when I was writing this
work; so much so that I could not resist making an oblique reference to the theme from
Schumann's Rhenish Symphony towards the end of the last movement.
This work has given me the opportunity to use two of my favourite techniques; melodic
writing and two part counterpoint. The saxophone is a beautiful instrument for chamber
music and works exceptionally well with string instruments. This commission adds to the
very small repertoire for saxophone and violin.