MUSIC FOR THE SAXOPHONE DUET GENRE: AN ANNOTATED

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED ORIGINAL MUSIC

Wei-Lun Chien, B.A., M.M.

Dissertation Prepared for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

August 2015

APPROVED:

Eric Nestler, Major Professor

John Murphy, Committee Member
John Scott, Committee Member
Benjamin Brand, Committee Member
John Holt, Chair of the Department of
Instrumental Studies
James C. Scott, Dean of the College of Music
Costas Tsatsoulis, Interim Dean of the Toulouse
School of Graduate Studies
 Chien, Wei-Lun. Music for the Saxophone Duet Genre: An Annotated Bibliography of

Selected Original Music. Doctor of Musical Arts (Performance), August, 2015, 174 pp., 105

musical examples, 5 figures, appendices, bibliography, 45 titles.

In 1861, Jerôme Savari (1819-1870) composed Duo for Soprano Saxophone and Alto

Saxophone. Since then, more than 400 duets were written, yet many musicians are not aware of

this repertoire. The lack of recommended repertoire and insufficient information regarding this

genre reduces the use of the saxophone duet in both pedagogical and concert settings.

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of the saxophone duet genre by

identifying the standard repertoire and creating an annotated bibliography. Twenty-three

composers with twenty-six selected works have been identified and will be annotated. All

selected works in this document are (1) composed for any two members of the saxophone

family; (2) originally composed for saxophone duet (i.e., no transcriptions will be included); (3)

published either by companies or by the composers themselves; and, (4) composed between the

nineteenth-century through present day.

This annotated bibliography of selected repertoire contains two sections: (1) repertoire

for performance; and, (2) repertoire for pedagogy. It is the intent of this project that the

annotation for each piece could assist performers, teachers and students with their search of

currently published works for this genre. The descriptive information in each annotation

regarding the composition and its performance considerations should provide further details in

order to assist in the program decision-making process.  

Copyright 2015

by

Wei-Lun Chien

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First of all, I would like to give thanks to God, who has given me life, purpose, family,

friends, and music.

I would like to thank my advisory committee, including Dr. John Murphy and Dr. John

Scott, for their input and help during the process of my doctoral qualifying exam and disserta-

tion. I would particularly like to express my appreciation to Dr. Eric Nestler for his support

throughout the entire course of my doctoral studies and for his valuable suggestions and encour-

agement, which have made this document possible.

Additionally, I received invaluable assistance from several composers and saxophonists. I

would like to thank Serge Bertocchi, Ronald Caravan, Paul Cohen, Lawrence Gwozdz, Walter

Hartley, John David Lamb, Ryo Noda, and Harry White. I would also like to thank Alyssa

Hedenstrom and Ryan Ayres for taking their time to assist me with this editing and creating the

musical examples.

Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the encouragement, care, and

consistent prayers of my family, especially my mother, father and younger sister. A special

thanks goes to my wife, I-Hsin Kang, for her unconditional love these past six years. I would not

be able to complete my doctoral degree without her support.

With admiration and thankfulness, this document is dedicated to my father, Hsin-Hung

Chien, as a gift for his 70th birthday.

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. iii

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF MUSIC EXAMPLES ................................................................................................... viii

Chapter

I. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1

Performance Goals ...................................................................................................1

Pedagogical Goals....................................................................................................1

Methodology ...........................................................................................................2

II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ..................................................................................6

Repertoire Characteristics from 1844 to 1861 .........................................................6

Repertoire Characteristics from 1861 to 1932 .........................................................6

Repertoire Characteristics from 1933 to 1979 .........................................................7

Repertoire Characteristics from 1980 to Present .....................................................8

III. STATE OF RESEARCH ...............................................................................................9

Research in the Field................................................................................................9

Reference Books ......................................................................................................9

Journals ..................................................................................................................10

Recordings .............................................................................................................11

IV. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED COMPOSITIONS FOR SAXO-

PHONE DUET: REPERTOIRE FOR PERFORMANCE ...........................................13

Adler, Samuel, Contrasting Inventions..................................................................13

iv
 Caravan, Ronald, Three Modal Dances .................................................................18

Cowell, Henry, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18 ..................................................21

Cockcroft, Barry, Slap Me .....................................................................................25

Dubois, Pierre-Max, Six Caprices .........................................................................30

Fox, Frederick, Visitations .....................................................................................40

Hartley, Walter, Dance ..........................................................................................46

Hindemith, Paul, Konzerstück................................................................................53

Koch, Erland von, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr .........................................57

Koch, Erland von, Dialogue ..................................................................................64

Lacour, Guy, Suite en duo......................................................................................67

Lamb, John David, Barefoot Dances .....................................................................76

Lauba, Christian, Adria ..........................................................................................80

Lauba, Christian, Ars .............................................................................................84

Morosco, Victor, Six Contemporary Etudes ..........................................................89

Noda, Ryo, Murasaki no Fuchi..............................................................................99

Robert, Lucie, Rythmes Lyriques .........................................................................106

Rossé, François, Ximix .........................................................................................113

Stockhausen, Karlheinz, Knabenduett .................................................................121

Tull, Fisher, Dialogue ..........................................................................................127

V. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED COMPOSITIONS FOR SAXO-

PHONE DUET: REPERTOIRE FOR PEDAGOGY ................................................133

Bumcke, Gustav, 38 Duette, op.43 ......................................................................133

Klosé, Hyacinthe, 10 Duets .................................................................................138

v
 Koechlin, Charles, 24 Duos, op. 186 ...................................................................142

Lauba, Christian, Six Duos...................................................................................149

Savari, Jérôme, Duo .............................................................................................154

Vereecken, Ben, Sixteen Artistic Duets ...............................................................159

APPENDIX A: LIST OF SELECTED REPERTOIRE ...............................................................163

APPENDIX B: INFORMATION OF PUBLISHERS .................................................................166

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................171

vi
 LIST OF FIGURES
Page

Figure 1: Fox, Visitation, timbral fingerings .................................................................................44

Figure 2: Pedagogical exercises based upon Koch’s Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr ............62

Figure 3: Pedagogical exercises based upon Morosco’s tone row ................................................98

Figure 4: Pitch organization .........................................................................................................124

Figure 5: Koechlin etudes per volume .........................................................................................146

vii
 LIST OF MUSICAL EXAMPLES

Page

Example 1a: Adler, Contrasting Invention, Mvt. I, mm. 1-4.........................................................15

Example 1b: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. I, mm. 10-13 ...................................................15

Example 2: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 70 .........................................................16

Example 3: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 144-148 ...............................................16

Example 4: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 130 (alto saxophone) ...........................17

Example 5: Caravan, Three Modal Dances, Mvt. III, mm. 52 ......................................................20

Example 6a: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18, mm. 2-8..................................................23

Example 6b: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18, mm. 34-40 ..............................................23

Example 7a: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18, mm. 25-27..............................................23

Example 7b: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18, mm. 57-59 ..............................................24

Example 8: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 1-7 .....................................................................................27

Example 9: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 70-77 .................................................................................28

Example 10a: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 170-178 ..........................................................................29

Example 10b: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 175-176, Rhythmic figures............................................29

Example 11: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. I, mm. 1-4 .....................................................................34

Example 12: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. II, mm. 1-5 ...................................................................34

Example 13: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. III, mm. 1-4 ..................................................................35

Example 14: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. III, mm. 22-24 ..............................................................36

Example 15: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. IV, mm. 40-47 ..............................................................37

Example 16: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. V, mm. 1-8 ...................................................................37

Example 17: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. VI, mm. 1-16 ................................................................38

viii
Example 18: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. VI, mm. 74-81 ..............................................................39

Example 19: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. I, mm. 7-8 .....................................................................39

Example 20: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. I .............................................................................................42

Example 21: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. I .............................................................................................43

Example 22a: Parker, Donna Lee, mm. 1-4 ...................................................................................44

Example 22b: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. III ........................................................................................45

Example 23: Hartley, Dance, mm.1-4 ...........................................................................................51

Example 24: Hartley, Dance, mm. 68-69 ......................................................................................51

Example 25: Hartley, Dance, mm. 53-57 ......................................................................................52

Example 26a: Hindemith, Konzerstück, Mvt. I, mm. 3-4 ..............................................................56

Example 26b: Hindemith, Konzerstück, Mvt. I, mm. 38-40 ..........................................................56

Example 27a: Glãdjens blomster ...................................................................................................59

Example 27b: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. II, mm. 1-13 ..............................60

Example 28: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. III, mm. 109-113 .........................61

Example 29: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. I, mm. 67-72 ................................61

Example 30: Koch, Dialogue .........................................................................................................66

Example 31: Messiaen’s Modes of Limited Transposition: Second Mode ...................................70

Example 32: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. I, mm.1-4 .....................................................................70

Example 33a: Messiaen’s system: Sixth mode (original) ..............................................................71

Example 33b: Messiaen’s system: Sixth mode with transposition (half-step) ..............................71

Example 33c: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. II, mm.1-2 ..................................................................71

Example 34a: Messiaen’s system: Third mode (original) .............................................................72

Example 34b: Messiaen’s system: Third mode with transposition (whole-step) ..........................72

ix
Example 34c: Messiaen’s system: Third mode with transposition (one and half-step) ................72

Example 34d: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. III, mm. 1-5 ...............................................................73

Example 35a: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode (original) .........................................................74

Example 35b: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode with transposition (whole-step) ......................74

Example 35c: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode with transposition (one and half-step) ............74

Example 35d: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., Scherzetto, mm. 1-5 ........................................74

Example 36: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., Scherzetto , mm.118-121 ..................................75

Example 37: Lacour’s Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., mm. 92-95 .......................................................75

Example 38: Lamb, Barefoot Dances, Mvt. VI, mm. 1-13 ...........................................................79

Example 39: Lauba, Adria, Rehearsal 32 ......................................................................................82

Example 40: Lauba, Ars, Rehearsal 30-31.....................................................................................88

Example 41: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 1, mm. 13-14 ..................................................91

Example 42: Flamenco Rhythm.....................................................................................................92

Example 43: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 2, mm. 1-6 ......................................................92

Example 44: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 3, mm. 9-12 ....................................................92

Example 45: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 4, mm. 49-55 ..................................................93

Example 46a: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Introduction, mm. 1-6 ...............................94

Example 46b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 1, mm. 1-5 ................................94

Examples 47a: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 2, mm. 1-4 ...............................94

Examples 47b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 3, mm. 21-25 ...........................95

Examples 47c: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 4, mm. 13-14 ...........................95

Examples 47d: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 5, mm. 6-7 ...............................95

Examples 47e: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 6, mm. 19-20 ...........................95

x
Example 48a: Prime form of the tone row .....................................................................................96

Example 48b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 1-3 ....................................................96

Example 48c: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 54 ......................................................96

Example 48d: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 56-57 ................................................97

Example 49: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi ......................................................................................102

Example 50: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi ......................................................................................103

Example 51: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi ......................................................................................104

Example 52: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, mm.1-4 ........................................................................108

Example 53: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 9 and 10 ......................................................109

Example 54: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 20 ................................................................110

Example 55: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 30 ................................................................110

Example 56: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 31 ................................................................111

Example 57: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 33 and 34 ....................................................112

Example 58: Rossé, Ximix, First System .....................................................................................118

Example 59: Rossé, Ximix, Second System .................................................................................119

Example 60: Rossé, Ximix, Eleventh System ..............................................................................120

Example 61a: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm.1-5 .....................................................................124

Example 61b: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm. 31-35 ................................................................125

Example 61c: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm. 61-65 ................................................................125

Example 62: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, Phrase 1, mm. 96-104 ................................................126

Example 63: Tull, Dialogue, mm. 1-7 .........................................................................................129

Example 64: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 1-8 ............................................................................130

Example 65: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 19-24 ........................................................................130

xi
Example 66: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 81-90 ........................................................................131

Example 67: Bumcke, 38 Duette, op.43, no.19. Ostinato, mm. 1-8 ............................................137

Example 68: Klosé, Six Melodious Studies, no.4, mm. 1-8 .........................................................140

Example 69: Klosé, Four Easy Duets, In Concert No.2, mm. 34-39 ..........................................141

Example 70: Koechlin, 24 Duos, op. 186, No.1, mm. 7-9...........................................................146

Example 71: Koechlin, 24 Duos, op. 186, No.9, Third system ...................................................148

Example 72: Lauba, Six Duos, No.1, Pas sur le sel, mm. 1-2 .....................................................151

Example 73a: Lauba, Six Duos No.2, El Djem, mm. 1-2 .............................................................151

Example 73b: Lauba, Six Duos No.5, Nour, mm. 25-29 .............................................................151

Example 74: Lauba, Six Duos No.3, Al Khebir, Third system.....................................................152

Example 75: Lauba, Six Duos No.6, Gabès, mm. 1-8 .................................................................153

Example 76: Savari, Duo, mm. 89-95..........................................................................................157

Example 77: Vereecken, Sixteen Artistic duets No.16, Tenderness, mm. 6-20 ...........................162

xii
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Performance Goals

After Jerôme Savari’s Duo for Soprano Saxophone and Alto Saxophone was written in

1861, more than 400 duets were composed; however, many of these pieces are rarely per-

formed.1 Furthermore, many musicians are not aware of this repertoire. The lack of recommend-

ed repertoire and insufficient information regarding this genre reduces the use of the saxophone

duet in the concert program.

The performance goal of this study is to examine the importance of the saxophone duet

genre by creating an annotated bibliography. Music for this instrumental combination, taken

from different musical eras, will be studied in order to identify a standard repertoire. The result-

ing survey of various works from different styles is expected to demonstrate the diversity and

evolution of compositions for two saxophones. The selected repertoire for this study contains

different levels of difficulty. It is the intent of this project that the annotation for each piece could

assist performers with their search of currently published works for this genre. The descriptive

information in each annotation regarding the composition and its performance considerations

should provide further details in order to assist in the program decision-making process as well

as the artistic rendering of the piece.

Pedagogical Goals

Compared with any other combination of instrumentation for saxophone performance,

the duet for two saxophones is an easily accessible genre. Obviously, since the instrumentation

for this genre occurs within the same family, both the homogenous sound and technique de-

1
Bruce Ronkin, Londeix Guide to the Saxophone Repertoire 1844-2012 (Cherry Hill, NJ: Roncorp, 2012), 524.

1
manded for performance are similar. This results in performers having less difficulty blending

tone quality and matching dynamics or other technical requirements. Therefore, the study of sax-

ophone duets will undoubtedly help the student to learn how to control sound, dynamics, rhythm

and other musical techniques. The saxophone duet genre also provides an opportunity for young

saxophonists to learn proper ensemble, helping students to imitate the musical style, blend sound,

match dynamics as well as rhythm, articulation, and other aspects of technique. Therefore, the

identification of appropriate material of saxophone duets for pedagogical purposes is necessary.

Some well-written duets, such as Hyacinthe Éléonore Klosé’s pieces published in his

Méthode compléte des Saxophones, help students learn how to gain control of the entire range of

the saxophone and obtain greater understanding of the relationship between the melodic material

and the accompaniment. Contemporary saxophone duets offer opportunities for advanced stu-

dents to learn avant garde music and extended techniques. One such example is Christian Lau-

ba’s Six Duos for two saxophones (1995). It contains various multiphonics, quarter tone vibrato,

rapid dynamic changes (forte to pianissimo), as well as opportunities for students to experience

atonal music and to learn how the performance of music lacking time signatures or bar lines. The

pedagogical goal of this document is to assist teachers, young performers and students in order to

select pieces and etudes that are appropriate for their skill level.

Methodology

All works selected for this document are as follows: (1) composed for any two members of

the saxophone family (including sopranino saxophone and contrabass saxophone); (2) originally

composed for saxophone duet (i.e., no transcriptions are included); (3) either published by com-

panies or by the composers themselves; and, (4) pieces composed from the nineteenth-century

through the twenty-first century. Regarding the selection of the repertoire, there are several

2
sources to locate compositions for saxophone duet. Jean-Marie Londeix's Guide to the Saxo-

phone Repertoire 1844-2012 provides a thorough list of repertoire. Various publishers’ web-

sites and online catalogs of repertoire are helpful to locate works and musical scores. These in-

clude AllMusic (allmusic.com), Dorn Publications (dornpub.com), Saxbook (saxbook.com),

SOTW (Sax on the Web) forum (forum.saxontheweb.net), and WorldCat (worldcat.org). All

scores for this study were obtained through the University of North Texas music library, inter-

library loan or purchased by the author.

The annotated bibliography of selected repertoire in this document contains two sections:

(1) repertoire for performance; and (2) repertoire for pedagogy. Since it is the hope that perform-

ers and teachers will use this document as a reference, only works that are published, or currently

available from composers, are listed in this study. Twenty-three composers with twenty-six se-

lected works have been identified and are annotated. These compositions have been chosen for

several reasons. Some works are considered standard pieces in saxophone repertoire (such as

Paul Hindemith’s Konzerstück) while others are not often performed but written by well-known

composers (such as Henry Cowell’s Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18). Other works contain an

extensive amount of contemporary extended techniques for saxophone (such as many of Chris-

tian Lauba’s compositions) and some were chosen as a representational sampling of pedagogical

material (such as those found in Hyacinthe Klosé’s method book).

This document is organized into four different chapters:

Chapter I contains the historical background and a review of important literature for the

genre of saxophone duet.

Chapter II describes the current state of research and discusses available sources; it will

include books, journals, dissertations and recordings.

3
 Chapter III consists of the annotated bibliography of selected compositions for saxophone

duet.

Chapter IV contains an appendix listing the entire selected repertoire in alphabetical order

by the composer’s last name, with other basic information. The bibliography and information of

publishers such as abbreviation, addresses, websites are list in this chapter.

Each annotation includes the birth and death dates of the composer if available. The an-

notations are to be organized in the following manner:

1. Composer

2. Title

3. Instrumentation

4. Date of Composition

5. Movement titles or tempo indications

6. Duration

7. Dedication

8. Publisher

9. Available recordings

10. List of composer's other works for saxophone

11. Bibliographic information about the composer

12. Discussion of performance considerations

In regard to the list of composer’s works for saxophone, Jean-Marie Londeix’s Guide to

the Saxophone Repertoire 1844-2012 is the primary source of literature. Londeix’s book includes

both transcriptions and unpublished pieces; however, in this document, the author only lists the

original and published works. The performance considerations include aspects such as range, ex-

4
tended technique requirements, fingerings and technical suggestions. The information provided

in the annotation has been gathered from several primary sources: (1) the composer’s comments

found on the score or interviews conducted by the author; (2) academic periodical reviews; (3)

university dissertations; (4) notation/liner notes from recorded compact discs; and, (5) infor-

mation provided by the publisher; and, (6) an examination of the scores with a brief analysis.

5
 CHAPTER II

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Repertoire Characteristics from 1844 to 1861

Belgian musical instrument designer Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1844.

Georges Kastner (1810-1867), a friend and supporter of Adolphe Sax, wrote the first method

book for saxophone Méthode compléte et raisonnée de saxophone in 1845. The following year,

another method, Méthoded élémentaire de saxophone by Hartmann was published.2 This method

contains preparatory exercises, ten etudes and five duets; these duets are probably the earliest

works in the form of saxophone duets. During this early period, most of the saxophone duets

were transcriptions from operas by nineteenth-century contemporary composers such as Donizet-

ti or Verdi. One of few exceptions of the original music for saxophone is Jean-Baptiste Singe-

lée’s Duo Concertant, Op.55 for soprano saxophone, alto saxophone and piano (1858). Unfortu-

nately, no further document identifies any original compositions for the genre of saxophone duet

during this period.

Repertoire Characteristics from 1861 to 1932

To promote the saxophone and encourage more people to learn this newly created instru-

ment, Adolphe Sax operated a publishing house in Paris and invited many composers to write for

saxophone. Between the 1850s and 1870s, he published nearly two hundred compositions for

saxophone.3 Some well-known composers contributed original music, including Jean-Baptiste

Arban, Leon Chic, Jules Demersseman, Paul-Agricole Genin, Hyacinthe Klosé, Jérôme Savari

and Jean-Baptiste Singelée. Among these composers, Savari’s (1819-1870) Duo for Soprano and

2
Gail Beth Levinksy, An Analysis and Comparison of Early Saxophone Methods Published Between 1846-1946
(D.M.A. diss., Northwestern University, 1997).
3
Richard Ingham, The Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998),
51.

6
Alto Saxophone (1861) is one of the earliest existing original compositions for saxophone duet.

Although there were a handful of composers writing for this genre, most works from this period

are rather small-scale in length and light-hearted in style; or, they served as study etudes for ped-

agogical purposes. Some notable composers and compositions were written by the French clari-

netist and composer, Klosé in his 1877 method book Méthode compléte des Saxophones which

contains six melodious studies and four easy duets, and by early German saxophone pedagogue

and composer, Gustave Bumcke in his Saxophone Etude op.43, Part IV, 38 Duette für zwei Sax-

ophone (1927).

Repertoire Characteristics from 1933 to 1979

Paul Hindemith’s Konzerstück for two alto saxophones (1933) was the first important

work for the genre by a major composer of western art music. This piece was composed at the

request of one of the earliest pioneer concert saxophonists, Sigurd Raschèr. In 1964, Henry

Cowell wrote an unusual piece, also dedicated to Sigurd Raschèr; the piece entitled Hymn and

Fuguing Tune No.18 was written for soprano saxophone and contrabass saxophone, a rare in-

strumentation in the saxophone’s repertoire.

During this period, French music played an important role for the saxophone due to the

impact of the legendary saxophonist Marcel Mule. Mule was the second professor of saxophone

in the history of the Paris Conservatory, preceded only by the instrument’s inventor, Adolphe

Sax, from 1850-1870. His remarkable performances and influential teaching career made the

musical world take the saxophone seriously, inspired many great composers to write an abun-

dance of high-quality repertoire that led itself to the legitimization of the instrument within the

classical musical world.4 French saxophonist and composer, Guy Lacour, occupied the tenor

4
Eugene Rousseau, Marcel Mule: His Life and the Saxophone (Hams Lake, Minnesota: Jeanné, 2012)

7
chair of the famous Marcel Mule Saxophone Quartet. He wrote the Suite en duo in 1971 and

soon thereafter, it became standard repertoire for this genre. Other important French repertoire

for saxophone duet written in this period includes Charles Koechlin’s 24 Duos, op.186 (1942)

and Pierre-Max Dubois’s Six Caprices (1967).

Repertoire Characteristics from 1980 to Present

In 1980, Karlheinz Stockhausen composed Knabenduett (Boy’s duet) for two soprano

saxophones as part of his opera, Thursday from Light. This four-minute short atonal composition

contains ambiguous harmony and dissonant sounds; the harmonic tension and rich overtones cre-

ated by the two soprano saxophones brings freshness and many tonal possibilities to the genre of

the saxophone duet. The Japanese saxophonist and composer Ryo Noda adopted modern musical

notation and used micro-tones in his Murasaki no Fuchi for two alto saxophones (1981). His

approach was to mix the sound and techniques of the Japanese shakuhachi flute with the saxo-

phone in order to create unique style of music for the saxophone. In the early 1990s, Tunisian

composer Christian Lauba collaborated with one of the modern masters of the saxophone, Jean-

Marie Londeix. Lauba explored various extended techniques in his etudes and other composi-

tions. Lauba’s Neuf Études (Nine Etudes) is a significant work for contemporary saxophone rep-

ertoire. His Adria for two alto saxophones (1985) contains extended techniques such as mul-

tiphonics, quarter tones, use of subtone, key noise and slap tongue. In the twenty-first century,

composers continued using these extended techniques in their compositions, but also incorpo-

rated different types of other musical genres. Australian saxophonist and composer Barry Cock-

croft wrote Slap Me for two saxophones in 2005. He composed music with several saxophone-

specific techniques such as glissando, multiphonic, as well as an extensive use of slap-tongue;

this piece was composed with many “bluesy” sounding phrases as well as angular rhythms.

8
 CHAPTER III

STATE OF RESEARCH

Research in the Field

Following the descriptions in Chapter One, there have been a considerable number of

compositions written for the saxophone duet genre before 1933; however, most of these pieces

were of a smaller scale and none of them were written by significant composers. After Paul

Hindemith's Konzerstück, written in 1933, hundreds of saxophone duets were composed over the

next eighty-year period; however, documentation and study of original and published composi-

tions remain limited. Therefore, there is a significant need for a resource available to performers

and teachers that identifies worthwhile music of the saxophone duet repertoire. In regard to the

research in the field, the author lists the current available resources of this genre.

Reference Books

In light of discovering more information surrounding the genre, Jean-Marie Londeix pro-

vides a significant list of saxophone duets in his book, Guide to the Saxophone Repertoire 1844-

2012. This tome is currently the primary published source identifying saxophone duets. In addi-

tion to transcriptions and arrangements, Londeix's book contains many unpublished works. This

increases the difficulty of identification of original compositions and access to these musical

scores. Londeix’s book does not provide either sufficient information about composers or further

details about compositions for this genre. Detailed research of this genre occurs within the indi-

vidual study of a specific composer or a single composition, such as can be found in James Um-

ble’s Jean-Marie Londeix, Master of the Modern Saxophone. In addition to being a biography of

Jean-Marie Londeix, this source is a performance guide of standard repertoire for saxophone. In

9
it, the author describes only two compositions for saxophone duet, including Paul Hindemith's

Konzerstück and Christian Lauba’s Adria.5

Journals

Further examples of research into the saxophone duet genre are two articles from differ-

ent issues of the Saxophone Journal. These articles are published by Dorn Publication and they

provide analyses and performance guides for Frederick Fox’s Visitations6 and Erland von Koch’s

Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr.7 Other sources of research of this genre can be found in The

Saxophone Symposium. Articles and recording reviews from this scholarly journal of the North

American Saxophone Alliance discuss relevant information about significant saxophonists, com-

posers and their compositional devices. Examples include Thomas Liley’s Sigurd Raschèr: His

Life and Legacy and Andy Wen’s The Music of Ryo Noda.8

Dissertations

Several doctoral dissertations offer insight into the musical style and compositional de-

vices of particular composer, such as Paul Hindemith's Works for Saxophone by Karen Wylie,9

Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Music for Saxophone by Elizabeth Bunt,10 An Annotated Bibliography

of the Saxophone Music of Lucie Robert by John S, Bluel11 and Christian Lauba and his saxo-

phone etudes by Po-Yuan Ku.12 A significant portion of the repertoire for the saxophone duet

5
James C. Umble, Jean-Marie Londeix, Master of the Modern Saxophone. (Cherry Hill, NJ: Roncorp, 2000).
6
Frank Bongiorno, “Visitations by Frederick Fox,” Saxophone Journal 35 (May/June 2010).
7
Alan Durst, “Master class of Birthday music for Sigurd Raschèr by Erland von Koch” Saxophone Journal 34, no. 1
(September/October 2009).
8
Thomas Liley, “Sigurd Raschèr: His Life and Legacy,” The Saxophone Symposium 26 (2001) and Andy Wen,
“The Music of Ryo Noda, Part II: An Analysis of Improvisation I,” The Saxophone Symposium 24 (1999).
9
Karen Wylie, “Gebrauchsmusik in Paul Hindemith's Works for Saxophone: The Place of Konzertstuck für Zwei
Altsaxophone” (D.M.A. diss., University of Houston, 2002).
10
Elizabeth Bunt, “The Saxophone Works of Karlheinz Stockhausen” (D.M.A. diss., University of Arizona, 2010).
11
John S. Bleuel, “An Annotated Bibliography of the Saxophone Music of Lucie Robert” (D.M.A. diss., University
of Georgia, n.d, 1998).
12
Po-Yuan Ku, “Four Recitals and an essay: Christian Lauba and His Saxophone Etudes: From a Historical Perspec-
tive.” (D. Mus. diss., University of Alberta, 2009).

10
genre was produced after 1980, the year Stockhausen’s Knabenduett was written, and other new

pieces have become an important part of the standard repertoire for saxophone. These new com-

positions were performed and recorded more often in the past thirty years than any other time.

Currently, a source containing the essential information of the published works for saxophone

duet covering a broad range of repertoire is not known to exist.

Recordings

There are numerous published recordings of saxophone duets available for performers

and teachers. Some recordings contain only original repertoire for saxophone duet. French sax-

ophonists Serge Bertocchi and Jean-Michel Goury’s En Toute Amitie and Australian saxophonist

Michael Duke’s Duo Sax both contain commissioned pieces and premiere recordings such as

Samuel Adler’s Contrasting Inventions and Marius Constant’s Traits. Some recordings contain

both original music as well as transcriptions for saxophone duet. These include Japanese saxoph-

onists Shin-ichiro Hirosaka and Yasushi Arai’s 6 Caprices; this selection covers repertoire such

as W. A. Mozart’s Duet No.313 and Pierre-Max Dubois’s Six Caprices Pour Deux Saxophones.

Hong-Kong native, Kenneth Tse, and Japanese saxophonist Nobuya Sugawa’s recording, Stellar

Saxes, contains repertoire for saxophone duet. Some of these pieces are also with piano. In this

compact disc, one finds several standard pieces such as Paul Hindemith’s Konzerstück, Guy

Lacour’s Suite en Duo and Victor Morosco’s Contemporary Etudes in Duet Form. While the se-

lected recordings named above focus entirely on the repertoire for saxophone duet, there are

many other recordings that contain only one or two compositions for the saxophone duet genre.

Examples can be found on Ars Duo’s Saxophone Conversations (which includes Paul Hinde-

mith’s Konzerstück and Christian Lauba’s Ars), Italian saxophonist David Brutti, Koechlin’s

13
W. A. Mozart’s Duet No.3 is based on his violin sonata in B-flat major, K454.

11
Complete music for saxophone (which includes Charles Koechlin’s 24 Duos Op.186), American

saxophonist Lawrence Gwozdz’s Raschèr International (which includes Erland von Koch’s

Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr), French saxophonist Joël Versavaud’s Christian Lauba:

Neuf etudes pour saxophone 1992-1994 (which includes Christian Lauba’s Ars) and Armenian

saxophonist Koryun Asatryan’s Works by Christian Lauba, Georges Aperghis, François Rossé,

Etienne Rolin, Hiroyuki Itoh, Hayden Chrisholm (which includes François Rossé’s Ximix).

12
 CHAPTER IV

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED COMPOSITIONS FOR SAXOPHONE

DUET: REPERTOIRE FOR PERFORMANCE

Adler, Samuel, Contrasting Inventions

Title: Contrasting Inventions (1998)

Composer: Samuel Adler (b. 1928)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Slow and “bluesy”

II. Fast and wild

Type of saxophones: alto and tenor saxophone

Duration: c. 5 minutes 30 seconds

Range: Alto saxophone: D#1 - altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch F3 – C6)14

Tenor saxophone: Bb1 – altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch Ab3 – F6)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Lawrence Gwozdz

Availability: Theodore Presser

Available recording: Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Canto IV, for solo alto saxophone, DP

14
Specific notes in this document will be identified according to the Accoustical Society’s system of octave designa-
tion.

13
 Concerto, for saxophone quartet and orchestra, GrB

Line Drawings, for saxophone quartet, DP

Pensive Soliloquy, for alto saxophone and piano, Pres

Serenata Concertante, for flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone and wind ensemble, Pres

Sounding, for alto saxophone and piano, South

Comments:

Samuel Adler was born in Mannheim, Germany in 1928. He moved with his family to the

United States in 1939. He studied composition with Aaron Copland, Paul Hindemith, Hugo Nor-

den, Paul Pisk, Walter Piston and Randall Thompson. He received a B.M from Boston Universi-

ty and an M.A. from Harvard University. He has been awarded several honorary Doctorates of

Music from Harvard University, Southern Methodist University, St. Mary’s College and Saint

Louis Conservatory. From 1957 to 1966, Adler served as Professor of Composition at the North

Texas State University. In 1966, he became Professor of Composition at Eastman School of Mu-

sic and later chairman of the Composition Department until his retirement in 1994. He joined the

faculty of the Juilliard School of Music in 1997.15

Contrasting Inventions is a two-movement composition for alto and tenor saxophone. It

was commissioned by saxophonist Lawrence Gwozdz in 1998.

Adler writes about this composition:

Contrasting Inventions is a short work for alto and tenor saxophone in two con-
trasting movements. The first is a slow and “bluesy” piece which gives the per-
formers an opportunity to play lyrical lines as well as some soft staccato figures,
one of these actually also recurs in the second movement. Wide skips are also a
feature for both instruments and tax the performer’s ability to execute these rather
difficult leaps smoothly. After coming to a quiet ending, the first Invention is fol-
lowed by a fast and furious second one which is almost a perpetual motion until it

15
Rhett Lyle Bender, “Annontated Bibliography of Published Saxophone Quartets By American Composers”
(D.M.A. diss., University of Georgia, 2000).

14
 is interrupted by a brief contrasting section, which even though still quite fluid,
stops the driving energy for a moment before again surrendering to it and driving
it wildly toward an exciting ending.16

Compared with Adler’s much earlier piece, Canto IV for solo alto saxophone (1971),

Contrasting Inventions does not contain any modern extended techniques such as flutter tongu-

ing, multiphonics or quarter tones. The harmonic and melodic intent is much stronger in this duet

than his solo piece. In the first movement, Adler provides the title of “Slow and bluesy.” He uses

the intervals of a minor third and half-step grace notes consistently throughout the movement to

create the so-called “bluesy” texture.

Example 1a: Adler, Contrasting Invention, Mvt. I, mm. 1-4

Copypright © 1998 by Theodore Presser. Used with permission.

Example 1b: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. I, mm. 10-1317

Copypright © 1998 by Theodore Presser. Used with permission.

As the description in the composer’s notes above, the second movement entitled Fast and

Wild begins with a rapid invention of perpetual motion in cut time. The rhythm is complex; the

two parts are sometimes in unison, or in polyrhythm of four against three (see Example 2).

Example 2: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 70

16
Samuel Adler, 2011, liner notes from Michael Duke’s recording Duo Sax, Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012  
17
All musical examples provided in this document are in written pitch, not concert/sounding pitch.

15
 Copypright © 1998 by Theodore Presser. Used with permission.

Adler inserts a slower section with the consistent alteration of the time signatures 5/8 and

6/8 followed by the recurring of invention theme with aggressive energy. At the climax, Adler

uses the cross-rhythm again to create a wild and exciting chaos. He ends the piece by unifying

the two voices with the same pitch, concert C (see Example 3).

Example 3: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 144-148

Copypright © 1998 by Theodore Presser. Used with permission.

The technical aspect for the saxophonists of Contrasting Inventions is demanding and

provides several challenges to the performers. First, even though this piece contains clear melod-

ic lines and strong rhythmic patterns, the harmonic structure is not always clear. Furthermore, the

angular lines with large intervals create challenges for connecting the notes and phrases with a

smooth legato. The performers should emphasize the melodic motion with clear articulation.

16
 Adler writes altissimo notes in both saxophone parts. Many phrases contain the notes

from a so-called regular range and altissimo register.18 Some of these passages require perform-

ing in the fast tempo; it may increase the difficulty of performance. The fingering choice for al-

tissimo notes is essential. Performers should always consider the precise intonation and smooth

connection from note to note. For instance, in order to accurately execute these altissimo notes

fluently and maintain a decent tone quality, this author suggests applying the Mode B Fingerings

for the high notes when performing the alto saxophone in measure 130 (see Example 4).19

Example 4: Adler, Contrasting Inventions, Mvt. II, mm. 130 (alto saxophone)

Copypright © 1998 by Theodore Presser. Used with permission.

18
In order to distinguish the range (Bb1 to F#3) and altissimo (any notes above F#3), the author uses “regular
range/register” to indicate notes that are either fundamental or first overtones. Altissimo notes are either second or
third overtones.
19
Eugene Rousseau, Saxophone High Tones (Bloomington, Ind.: Etoile Music, 1978), 23.

17
 Caravan, Ronald, Three Modal Dances

Title: Three Modal Dances (1979)

Composer: Ronald Caravan (b. 1946)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Allemande (Quarter note = c. 84)

II. Sarabande (Quarter note = c. 52)
III. Courante (Dotted half note = c. 66)

Type of saxophones: soprano and baritone saxophone

Duration: c. 10 minutes

Range: Soprano saxophone: C1– altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – G6)

Baritone saxophone: C1- altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch Eb2 – F5)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: William Fredrickson

Availability: Ethos Publications

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Canzona, for saxophone quartet (AATB), Eth

Chorale, for six saxophones, Eth

Declamation: A Rhetorical Fanfare for six saxophones, Eth

Fantasy Piece, for solo soprano saxophone, Eth

Improvisation, for solo tenor saxophone, Eth

Jubilate!, for eight saxophones, Eth

18
 Lament for unknown infant victims of war, for saxophone quartet and piano, Eth

Monologue Nr. 4, for solo alto saxophone, Eth

Paradigms 1-10, for solo saxophone, DP

Pastorale, for six saxophones, Eth

Preliminary Exercises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone, DP

Quiet Time, for soprano or tenor saxophone and piano, Eth

Sinfonietta, for nine saxophones, Eth

Six short statements, for flue and soprano saxophone, Eth

Soliloquy & Celebration, for soprano saxophone and piano, Eth

Sonata, for soprano saxophone and piano, Eth

Sonata, for baritone saxophone and piano, Eth

Trialogue, for violin, soprano saxophone and piano, Eth

Comments:

Ronald Caravan is a faculty member on the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse Universi-

ty, New York, where he teaches clarinet and saxophone. Caravan studied with William C. Wil-

lett, Stanley Hasty and Sigurd Raschèr. He received a master degree in music theory and doctor-

ate degree in music education from Eastman School of Music. Caravan composed several pieces

for saxophone; most of them are chamber works for saxophone ensemble. His Preliminary Exer-

cises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone is a significant reference for the

study of timbre variation, quarter tones and multiphonics.20

Through correspondences with the composer, the compositional background is described

below:

20
Ronald Caravan, Preliminary Exercises & Etudes in Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone. Dorn, 1980.

19
 At the time I decided to compose the piece (1979), a young man named William
Fredrickson (now music-education faculty member at Florida State University) was
playing baritone saxophone in a professional saxophone quartet with me, and he was
about to get married. As his future wife was a clarinetist, I wanted to compose a duet
for them--Bb clarinet and Eb baritone saxophone. I also wanted to play the duet with
him on some of our saxophone-quartet concerts, so I composed the piece specifically
to be played using either clarinet or soprano saxophone for the upper voice (using
soprano saxophone was not a later idea).21

The duet, Three Modal Dances, is written in the neo-Baroque style. Caravan adopts the

characteristics of the Baroque dance suite. Each movement represents a form of the suite, includ-

ing the opening Allemande, a slow Sarabande for the second movement and a lively Courante as

the final movement. Since this piece is written in a baroque-like style, performers should attempt

to perform with the appropriate style of trills, ornamentation and articulation. The dynamic bal-

ance between the two voices is important. The baritone saxophone should carefully reduce the

dynamic and accent in order to match the lightness and soft attack of the soprano saxophone.

While the technique is not very challenging, however, the composer writes most notes

within a limited range, he applies altissimo notes for the soprano saxophone in the third move-

ment. It provides a greater challenge to the performer especially since the two voices create oc-

taves (see Example 5).

Example 5: Caravan, Three Modal Dances, Mvt. III, mm. 52

Copypright © 1979 by Ethos Publications. Used with permission.

21
Ronald Caravan (personal communication through e-mail, January 6, 2015)  

20
 Cowell, Henry, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18

Title: Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18 (1964)

Composer: Henry Cowell (1897-1965)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Andante con moto

Allegro moderato
Andante con moto
Allegro moderato

Type of saxophones: soprano and contrabass saxophone

Duration: c. 4 minutes 30 seconds

Range: Soprano saxophone: C1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – Eb6)

Contrabass saxophone: C1 – A2 (Sounding Pitch Eb1 – C3)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Carina and Sigurd Raschèr

Availability: To The Fore Publishers

Available recording: Paul Cohen. Vintage Saxophones Revisited: A Tour of the Early History of

the Saxophone. Classax CXCD 101, 1996

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Air and Scherzo, for alto saxophone and piano or chamber orchestra, AMP

Sailor’s Honpipe, for saxophone quartet (AATB), Peer

“60,” for three saxophones (SAB), TTF

21
Comments:

Henry Dixon Cowell was one of the most important figures in American music of the

twentieth century. He was a composer, music theorist, pianist, teacher and impresario. Cowell

was born March 1897 in Menlo Park, California. He never received any formal musical educa-

tion until he was admitted to the University of California, Berkeley and studied with theorist and

musicologist, Charles Seeger. Following his time at Berkeley, his studies focused mainly on

world music. Cowell’s impact on contemporary music and compositional design was enormous:

his technique of tone cluster inspired many significant composers such as Béla Bartók, John

Cage, Elliot Carter, George Gershwin and Karlheinz Stockhausen.22

Towards the end of his life, Henry Cowell wrote a series of Hymn and Fuguing Tunes.

From solo cello to full orchestra, his instrumentation in this series is wide and varied. The total

number of this series is eighteen and No. 18 for two saxophones is obviously the last work of the

series.23 In 1964, Cowell wrote this piece for Sigurd Raschèr while both of them taught at East-

man School of Music. According to saxophonist Paul Cohen, Raschèr had purchased an old

Evette-Schaeffer contrabass saxophone (from the 1910s) and had it refurbished by the Buescher

company.24 Since there was no original music for this gigantic instrument at the time, Raschèr

performed a transcription for sopranino and contrabass saxophones, with his daughter Carina on

a recital of the same year. This performance drew immediate attention to Henry Cowell. One

week after Raschèr’s recital, Cowell wrote this four-minute piece for soprano saxophone and

contrabass saxophone and gave it to Raschèr.25

22
David Nicholls, Contemporary Music Studies Series V.16, The Whole World of Music: A Henry Cowell Symposi-
um (Amsterdam: Harwood Academic, 1997).
23
Ibid., 127.
24
Paul Cohen (personal communication through e-mail, May 2, 2015)
25
Sigurd Raschèr, “Hymn and Fuguing Tune #18.” To the Fore Publishers, 2013. Web. 1993.  

22
 The Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18 is written in an ABAB form. Part A features a brief,

lyrical aria and part B is a two-part invention. Cowell writes the main theme in the key of E-flat

in the first cantabile aria (performed by the soprano saxophone) and later modulates to the domi-

nant key of B-flat in the second lyrical section (see Examples 6a and 6b).

Example 6a: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18, mm.2-8

Example 6b: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18, mm. 34-40

Example 6a and b: Copyright © 1964 To The Fore. Used with permission.

Cowell adopts one simple but effective way to manipulate the modality. In the fast inven-

tion, he writes the same melodic line in two separate sections. By altering the key signature, this

harmonic design shifts modality from major to minor. Furthermore, Cowell applies a canon in

stretto in this section (see Examples 7a and 7b).

Example 7a: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 18, mm. 25-27

Copyright © 1964 To The Fore. Used with permission.

23
Example 7b: Cowell, Hymn and Fuguing Tune No.18, mm. 57-59.

Copyright © 1964 To The Fore. Used with permission.

This piece may seem simple, bland and not very interesting when played on the piano;

however, the interesting instrumentation created by the combination of the soprano and contra-

bass saxophones makes it unique. The difference in tessitura (more than a five octave range) be-

tween the two saxophones breathes freshness, and even creates a sense of humor into the music.

According to Sigurd Raschèr, his attempt at substituting a baritone saxophone for the contrabass

saxophone in a rehearsal was immediately unsatisfactory. Cowell conceived the unique sound of

the contrabass as part of the compositional design. This piece should be performed specifically

by this unique instrumentation.26

26
Paul Cohen (personal communication through e-mail, May 2, 2015).

24
 Cockcroft, Barry, Slap Me

Title: Slap Me (2005)

Composer: Barry Cockcroft (b. 1972)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Freely (Quarter note = 54)

Fast (Quarter note = 232)

Type of saxophones: two alto saxophones

Duration: c. 4 minutes

Range: Alto saxophone 1: A#1 – altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Bb5)

Alto saxophone 2: A#1 - altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Bb5)

Required extended techniques: glissando, slap tongue, multiphonic, growl

Dedication: Michael Duke

Availability: Reed Music

Available recording: Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Beat me, for solo tenor saxophone, ReedM

Black and Blue, for solo alto saxophone, ReedM

Bo, for solo tenor saxophone, ReedM

Foreign, for solo saxophone, ReedM

Gorge, for solo saxophone, ReedM

Melbourne Sonata, for soprano saxophone and piano, ReedM

25
 Ku Ku, for solo soprano saxophone, ReedM

P, for saxophone quartet, ReedM

Reflections, for alto saxophone and piano, ReedM

Rock Me, for solo saxophone, ReedM

Rock Us, for two soprano saxophones, ReedM

Salamanca, for solo alto saxophone, ReedM

Zodiac, for saxophone solo, ReedM

Comments:

Barry Cockcroft is an Australian saxophonist and composer; he studied with Peter

Clinch, Jacques Net, Marie-Bernadette Charrier and Jean-Marie Londeix. Cockcroft is currently

a member of the International Saxophone Committee. He has been a featured concerto soloist

with the United States Navy Band and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed

with major Australian orchestras and the Malaysian Philharmonic. Since 1996, Cockcroft’s close

association with more than 120 composers has led to the publication of approximately 15,000

works for various instruments. As a composer, most of his compositions are written for solo sax-

ophone.27

Slap Me was written for the Australian saxophonist Michael Duke. Duke is the first full-

time classical saxophone lecturer in Australia at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.28 Accord-

ing to Cockcroft, Duke had requested something similar to his solo piece entitled, Black and

Blue (1995), but with a longer length and more challenging.29 The title of this piece clearly indi-

27
Barry Cockcroft, accessed April 8, 2015, http://www.barrysax.com/about-barry-cockcroft.
28
Michael Duke, accessed April 8, 2015, http://www.michael-duke.com.
29
Ibid. accessed April 8, 2015.  

26
cates that the composer applies one of the common saxophone extended techniques, i.e., the

“slap tongue” throughout the much of the piece.

This piece begins with an octave glissando from G1 to altissimo G3, followed by the el-

ements of the G blues scale (see Example 8).

Example 8: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 1-7

Copyright © 2005 Reed Music. Used with permission.

After the bluesy and free opening, the initiation of the “slapping effect” combined with

syncopation found in the two saxophones immediately creates musical excitement. After a short

unison section, there is a solo section for both performers. The solo part contains multiphonics,

complex rhythmic patterns and continuous sixteenth notes while the other part provides a con-

sistent accompaniment created by a drone, sustaining the note G1.

27
 There are two elements of the accompaniment part: the first is the slap tongue articula-

tion; and, the second is a trill of mixed tone qualities between the note G1 and various alternate

fingerings creating a harmonic-quality sound (see Example 9).30

Example 9: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 70-77

Copyright © 2005 Reed Music. Used with permission.

Prior to the end of the solo section, Cockcroft’s music lacks both bar lines and time sig-

natures. The two saxophones seem to solo at the same time, both parts playing eighth notes, but

with different, individual rhythms, creating a sort of cacophony. Most notes within this section

are comprised of the G minor pentatonic scale, with the occasional note of D-flat (sharp four, or

the “blue note,” in the blues scale). When the two parts finally converge with continuous eighth

notes, the composer reduces the dynamic and excitement level before the final part. The piece

builds to the climax by a crescendo, continuous timbral trills, dissonant intervals, and a slow and

30
This type of extended technique has been referred to as either “timbral fingerings” or “bisbigliando.” More de-
scription of this technique can be found in the annotated bibliography of Christian Lauba’s Six Duo in this docu-
ment.

28
long glissando to the altissimo note G3, combined with the effect of the “growl.” The ending re-

turns to slap tonguing by both performers in unison with interesting composite rhythm in mm.

175 (see Examples 10a and b).

Example 10a: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 170-178

Copyright © 2005 Reed Music. Used with permission.

Example 10b: Cockcroft, Slap Me, mm. 175-176, Rhythmic figures

29
 Dubois, Pierre-Max, Six Caprices

Title: Six Caprices (1967)

Composer: Pierre-Max Dubois (1930-1995)

Movement title / Tempo Markings:

I. Prélude
II. Fugue
III. Impression
IV. Perpetuum Mobile
V. Schezando
VI. Théme Varié

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Duration: c. 11 minutes

Range: Saxophone 1: Bb1 – F#3

Saxophone 2: Bb1 - E#3

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: None

Availability: Alphonse Leduc

Available recording: Shin-ichiro Hirosaka and Yasushi Arai. 6 Caprices. Meister Music 2024,

2008.

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

A Pas de loup, for alto saxophone and piano, RR

Bouquet d’hommages, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Circus parade, for alto saxophone and percussion, Led

30
Come back, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Concertino, for saxophone quartet and chamber orchestra, Led

Concerto, for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Led

2nd Concerto, for alto saxophone and orchestra, Bil

Concerstück, for alto saxophone and orchestra or piano, Led

Conclusions, for solo alto saxophone, Led

Divertissement, for alto saxophone and orchestra or piano, Led

Dix Figures à danser, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Fantaisie, for baritone saxophone and piano, Led

Feu de paille, for violin and alto saxophone, Bil

Grave et Scherzo mécanique, for alto saxophone and piano, RR

La Gremellite, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Le Lièvre et la Tortue, for alto saxophone and orchestra, Led

Le récit du chamelier, for solo alto saxophone, Bil

Les écureuils, for alto saxophone and piano, Rideau Rouge

Les Métamorphoses, for saxophone quartet, Bil

Les Tréteaux, for flute, alto saxophone and piano, Chou

Les trois mousquetaires, for oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone and bassoon, Led

L’Imprévu – Allegro burlesque, for saxophone quartet, Bil

Lucienne et Cécillienne, for saxophone ensemble, Bil

Mazurka, Hommage à Chopin, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Menuet de Beaugency, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Two mini romances, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

31
Three miniatures, for three saxophones (AAT), HL

Moments musicaux, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Mominettes, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Olga valse, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Petit Quatuor, for saxophone quartet (AATB), HL

Three Petites sonates à Scarlatti, for saxophone quartet, Bil

Pièces caractéristiques, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Ten Préludes imaginaires, for saxophone quartet and band, Bil

Quatuor, for saxophone quartet, Led

Respirations, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Saxoballade, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Sinfonia da camera, for woodwind quintet and alto saxophone, Led

Sonate, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Sonate d’étude, for solo saxophone, Led

Sonate fantaisie, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Sonatine, for alto saxophone and orchestra or piano, Led

2nd Sonatine, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Suite, for violin, alto saxophone, piano and percussion, Mau

Suite française, for solo alto saxophone, Led

Triangle, for soprano, alto, tenor saxophone and piano, RR

Trios I & II, for oboe, alto saxophone and cello, Bil

Twenty progressive studies in duet form, for two saxophones, Bil

Vieille chanson et Rondinade, for tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

32
Comments:

French composer Pierre-Max Dubois was born in Graulhet, in the Languedoc region of

southern France in 1930. At the age of eight, he studied clarinet, harmony and piano at the Con-

servatoire de Tours. Later, he studied piano with Jean Doyens and composition with Darius Mi-

lhaud and Jean Rivier at the Paris Conservatory. In 1955, he was awarded the Premiere Grand

Prix de Rome. Since 1967, Dubois taught analysis and musical culture classes at the Paris Con-

servatory until 1995, the year he passed away in Rocquencourt, north-central France. Dubois was

a prolific composer. The majority of his compositions were written for woodwinds and include

many solo and mixed chamber works. Dubois composed extensively for saxophone in many dif-

ferent genres, including two saxophone concertos with orchestra, several pieces for saxophone

quartet and many compositions for alto saxophone and piano such as the Divertissement, several

character pieces in the form of a suite, a Concertstück and a Sonata. Dubois’s music always con-

tains an amusing and playful sense of style. During an interview, he claimed, “…By nature, I am

impulsive, but there is a hidden part of me which is certainly more serious. However, my charac-

ter incites me to write gay music. I love humor and I have no pretension of stopping the world in

its spin.”31

Dubois composed the Six Caprices in 1967. It was written for any combination of two

like saxophones or clarinets. This six-movement work is obviously written in the characteristic

of Dubois’s humorous and spontaneous nature.

In the opening movement, Prélude, Dubois applies the technique of biotonality to create

tonal ambiguity and harmonic tension. In the opening phrase, composer combines two triads to-

31
“Pierre-Max Dubois : Biography” Maguy Lovano, accessed July 4, 2010,
http://www.billaudot.com/__english/index_va.html.

33
gether - Bb minor triad on the top (with the borrowed fifth scale degree note “F” from the bottom

voice) and F major triad on the bottom (with the borrowed fifth scale degree note “C” from the

top voice.) While the notes of bottom line are collected from the first four notes of F major scale,

Dubois inserts a note B-natural in the end of mm. 1 and mm. 2. This note does not fit into the

two triads of both lines, however, the dissonant sound of minor second creates harmonic tension

and builds a sense of playfulness, which is a common trait of Dubois music. The imitation of the

phrase and homorhythm created by the continuous sixteenth-notes reduce the dissonance and

create more excitement to this opening movement (see Example 11).

Example 11: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. I, mm. 1-4

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

In the second movement, Fugue, Dubois writes the first four measures as the main theme

in the exposition (see Example 12). Dubois attempts to employ many dissonant intervals such as

diminished octave, planed in mm. 1-2, and does not provide a clear key center in this movement;

however, the imitations of the phrase and fragments of the opening motive maintain the strong

rhythmic figure throughout the piece.

Example 12: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. II, mm. 1-5

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

34
 The rhythm in the third movement creates a feeling of uncertainty; the thirty-second note

melodic line in the top voice implies an improvisational-style. The bottom voice progresses

slowly between the pauses of the melodic yet technical gestures. The order of the notes in both

parts seem random, but Dubois always connects the beginning of the two voices within half or

whole step away from each other as demonstrated by the arrows added to the music in the fol-

lowing example.

Example 13: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. III, mm. 1-4

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

The climax of this movement occurs in the middle section (mm. 22-24) of the movement.

While both lines contain thirty-second notes and chromatic scale patterns, they seemingly chase

each other with fast arpeggiated figures. The harmonic intervals between the two homorhythmic

parts are parallel major seconds. Dubois composes an “anagram” in this passage. In mm. 23-24,

Dubois writes the same phrase in both parts, but one progresses in a forward direction while the

other progresses in a backward direction (see Example 14).

35
Example 14: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. III, mm. 22-24

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

In the fourth movement, Perpetuum Mobile, the two performers rarely perform together

in a homorhythmic passage. Dubois connects both lines seamlessly with arpeggiated figures and

scalar passages (see Example 15). Dubois changed the style of the notation in order to help the

two performers connecting their parts smoothly. With the exception of a few measures, Dubois

intentionally omits the rest symbol in this movement in order to accurately portray the fluidity of

line. This composite rhythm results in a design that makes the whole movement sound as if it is

performed by one saxophonist. In order to make the movement seem seamless, the blending of

the tone quality, dynamic level and articulation of staccato is essential for both performers.

36
Example 15: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. IV, mm. 40-47

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

The fifth movement, Scherzando represents the typical characteristic of Dubois’ music,

humor and a sense of playfulness. This movement is written in the style of a scherzo and is com-

prised by the recurring, humorous theme and scalar figures. The eight-measure thematic material

is always found in the top voice. This theme appears three times throughout the movement (see

Example 16). The harmonic minor ninths and major sevenths serve to highlight Dubois’s sense

of “play.” The bitonality created by the combination of the melody in A minor with the accom-

paniment B-flat minor seventh chord adds to Dubois’s sense of humor.

Example 16: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. V, mm. 1-8

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

37
 In the sixth movement, Théme Varié, Dubois uses the sixteen-measure melody as the

thematic material (see Example 17). The formal structure of the theme is an AABA form with

four measures in each section.

Example 17: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. VI, mm. 1-16

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

There are three short variations of this simple theme. The first two variations maintain the

same length of the sixteen-measure theme. Variation III is twice as long. While the notes of the

theme found in mm. 74-81 remain constant, Dubois creates variation through the use of a duple

time signature and octave displacements. Example 18 demonstrates the identical parts with oc-

tave interval between two voices.

38
Example 18: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. VI, mm. 74-81

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

In Six Caprices, Dubois composes with the full range of the saxophone in both parts. Cer-

tain passages in the low register may cause certain challenges for the second saxophonist when

fingering. For instance, it is difficult to switch back and forth quickly between the low B-flat and

low D-flat in mm. 7-8 of the first movement (see Example 19).

Example 19: Dubois, Six Caprices, Mvt. I, mm. 7-8

Copyright © 1967 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

39
 Fox, Frederick, Visitations

Title: Visitations (1982)

Composer: Frederick Fox (1931-2011)

Movement title:

I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro molto

Type of saxophones: two alto saxophones (Optional substitution with soprano saxophone and
baritone saxophone in second movement)

Duration: c. 10 minutes

Range: Alto saxophone 1: Bb1 – altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch Db3 – C6)

Alto saxophone 2: B1 - altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch D3 – Bb5)

Required extended techniques: alternative tone color, fingered glissando, multiphonic, flutter

tongue, altissimo register

Dedication: Eugene Rousseau

Availability: Dorn Publications

Available recording: Frank Bongiorno. “Master class CD of Visitations for Duo Saxophones”
Saxophone Journal vol. 35 (May/June, 2010). Including full-performance tracks, performance
discussions and play-along tracks.

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Annexus, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

The Avenging Spirit, for saxophone quartet, DP

Hear Again in Memory, for solo saxophone, DP

40
 S.A.X, for solo alto saxophone and saxophone quartet, DP

Shaking the Pumpkin, for alto saxophone, piano and two percussion, DP

Three Diversions, for saxophone quartet, DP

When the Thunder Speaks, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Comments:

American composer Frederick Alfred Fox was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1931. He per-

formed saxophone in high school concert and marching bands, as well as local jazz bands. Dur-

ing that time, he studied saxophone with the well-known saxophone pedagogue, Larry Teal. Lat-

er, he studied composition with Ruth Shaw Wiley at Wayne State University and with Ross Lee

Finney at the University of Michigan. After graduating from Wayne State University, Fox

worked as a free-lance jazz saxophonist for few years and decided to attend Indiana University to

continue his studies. He studied composition with Bernhard Heiden and completed both his mas-

ter’s and doctoral degrees. In 1974, Fox became the professor of composition at Indiana Univer-

sity and later, the founder of the school’s New Music Ensemble. Fox was appointed chair of the

School of Music composition department in 1981 and remained until his retirement in 1997. Fox

passed away August 24, 2011, at the age of 80. Fox’s significant contributions to contemporary

music are substantial, including over eighty compositions written for orchestra, wind ensemble,

choir, chamber music and solo instruments.32

Visitations was composed for saxophonist Eugene Rousseau to be performed at a compo-

sition workshop at Indiana University in 1982. According to the composer, Fox wrote this piece

to demonstrate compositional techniques for saxophone; shortly after its completion, he “canni-

32
Gregory E. Miller, “The Saxophone Music of Frederick Fox: An Annotated Bibliography With An Analysis of
S.A.X. For Solo Alto Saxophone and Saxophone Quartet” (D.M.A. diss., University of North Texas, 2008).

41
balized” sections of the piece for use in later compositions and never considered to have it pub-

lished.33 (Dorn Publication published this piece in 2008.) Visitations contains three movements

and is written for two alto saxophones. According to a footnote in the score, Fox preferred to use

baritone saxophone as a substitution for the alto saxophone two in the second movement. He also

suggested that it was acceptable to use soprano saxophone if the “high tone” technique is not fea-

sible for the person performing alto saxophone one.34

Visitations is written in an atonal, contemporary compositional style. For the majority of

the piece, Fox does not compose in a specific meter nor does he incorporate measure lines. He

provides an approximate time frame between the two voices with the notation, “c. 4 s. (seconds)

+ c. 8 s.” (see Example 20).

Example 20: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. I

Copyright © 1982 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

There are only two exceptions of Fox’s use of meter signatures in a primarily meterless

composition. One exception occurs in the first movement. Fox creates a polyrhythm by juxtapos-

ing sextuplets in saxophone one with sixteenth notes in saxophone two. By using a meter, Fox

helps the performers maintain the integrity of the polyrhythm (see Example 21).

33
Ibid., 39
34
Frederick Fox, Visitations: Description on the Score (Dorn Publications, 1982).

42
Example 21: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. I

Copyright © 1982 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

The second exception occurs at the end of the third movement. After a group improvisation-

like sections, Fox builds to the climax by using the meter in order to unify the two voices ending

the work with strong rhythmic figures.

In Visitations, Fox explores the different timbre possibilities of the saxophone. He speci-

fies the use of the vibrato, including no vibrato (n.v), normal vibrato (Vib.) and slow, wide vibra-

to (marked with the symbol, “~”). Further, he composes with extended techniques such as alter-

nate timbral fingerings, flutter tongue and fingered glissando all of which are intended to change

the intonation and tone color.

Fox provides descriptive information of these required techniques, however, he does not

give the specific diagrams for the alternate timbral fingerings, which he uses extensively in the

first two movements. Performers should practice and explore various fingerings in order to create

43
the appropriate tone quality and precise intonation. The author provides the following alternate

timbral fingerings in order to achieve the effective, varying colors of timbre (see Figure 1). The

author also suggests that saxophonists performing Visitations consult Ronald Caravan’s book,

Preliminary Exercises and Etudes In Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone. In it, he identi-

fies even more various timbre variation and quarter tone fingerings than supplied below.35

Figure 1: Fox, Visitation, Timbral fingerings

In the third movement, Fox obviously creates melodic lines from the fragments of jazz

saxophonist Charlie Parker’s bebop compositions as essential elements of inspiration. Fox bor-

rows the exact notes from the melody to Parker’s composition Donna Lee in order to create a

new musical work (see Examples 22a and b).

Example 22a: Parker, Donna Lee, mm. 1-4

35
Ronald Caravan, Preliminary Exercises and Etudes In Contemporary Techniques for Saxophone (Medfield, MA:
Dorn Publication, 1980).

44
Example 22b: Fox, Visitations, Mvt. III

Copyright © 1982 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

Tangentially, other composers of music for saxophone, such as Claude Baker, use this

technique for creating new music through the inspiration and borrowing ideas from other musi-

cians and composers. In Lamentations (pour la fin du monde), Baker borrows music from both

Messiaen and Mahler.36

The final movement of Visitations incorporates several extended techniques, including

multiphonics, glissandos and flutter tongue. This composition is demanding and requires tonal

control and skill performing these advanced techniques for both saxophonists.

36
Claude Baker, 2006 Liner Notes from Eugene Rousseau’s Recording, Eugene Rousseau and University of North
Texas Symphony Orchestra: Saxophone Concerto (Jeanné ,CD 2275, 2010).

45
 Hartley, Walter, Dance

Title: Dance (1990)

Composer: Walter Hartley (b. 1927)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Allegro con brio

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Duration: c. 2 minutes

Range: Saxophone 1: Bb1 – F3

Saxophone 2: Bb1 – Eb3

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Lee Patrick

Availability: Ethos Publication

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Adagio, for eight saxophones, DP

African Dance, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Antiphonal Prelude, for saxophone quartet and organ, Eth

Aubade, for six saxophones, Eth

Cantilena, for alto saxophone and marimba, Eth

Chamber Concerto, for baritone saxophone and wind octet, DP

Concertino, for tenor saxophone and band, DP

46
Concertino, for saxophone quartet and piano, DP

Concertino No.2, for bass saxophone and wind band, Wi&Jo

Concertino da camera, for soprano saxophone and brass quintet, Mas

Concerto No. 1, for alto saxophone and band, Pres

Concerto No.2, for alto saxophone and orchestra, DP

Contra-Piece, for contrabass saxophone and piano, PDP

Dance, for two like saxophones, Eth

Dance Suite, for alto saxophone, violin and piano, Eth

Diversions, for soprano saxophone and piano, Eth

Double Concerto, for alto saxophone, tuba and wind octet, PhiCo

Duo, for alto saxophone and piano, Pres

Duo 2001, for two alto saxophone and wind ensemble, Wi&Jo

Duet for saxophones, two bass saxophones or two baritone saxophones, Pres

Duo, for tenor saxophone and piano, Eth

Duo Sonata, for soprano and baritone saxophones, Eth

Elegy 2001, for alto saxophone and piano, Pres

Fantasy Pieces, for alto saxophone, cello and piano, TTF

Heavenly Union, for soprano saxophone, flute and harp, Pres

Little Suite, for baritone saxophone and piano, DP

Lyric Suite, for tenor saxophone, viola and piano, TTF

Millennial Quartet, for saxophone quartet, Eth

Music for 12 saxophones, Eth

My Shepherd’s Sacred Throne, for alto saxophone and organ, Pres

47
Octet for saxophones, for eight saxophones, DP

Outdoor Music, for saxophone quartet, Pres

Overture, Interlude and Scherzo, for saxophone orchestra, DP

Pastorale and Tarantella, for saxophones and piano, Eth

Petite Suite, for solo alto saxophone, Wi&Jo

Poem, for tenor saxophone and piano, Pres

Prelude and Dance, for two soprano saxophone and piano, Eth

Prelude and Finale, for solo soprano saxophone, RMP

Quartet, for four alto saxophones, Kal

Quartet, for soprano saxophone, violin, viola and cello, TTF

Quartet Concerto, for saxophone quartet and orchestra, EK

Quartet for Reeds, for alto saxophone, oboe, horn and bassoon, DP

Quintet for saxophones, for five saxophones (SAATB), DP

Reverie and Canonic Scherzo, for tenor saxophone, violin and piano, TTF

Rhapsody, for tenor saxophone and string quartet, DP

Romance, for bass saxophone and piano, Eth

The Saxophone Album, for saxophone quartet and piano, DP

Saxophonrenia, for alto saxophone and band, DP

Scherzino, for tenor saxophone and piano, Eth

Serenade, for saxophone ensemble, Eth

Seven “Scared Harp” Songs, for alto saxophone and keyboard, EK

Sinfonia No.6 and No.15 for saxophone ensemble, Eth

Six Southern Folk Hymns, for three saxophones, Mas

48
Solemn Postlude, for saxophone quartet and organ, Eth

Soliloquy and Scherzo, for solo sopranino saxophone, Eth

Sonata, for tenor saxophone and piano, DP

Sonata, for baritone saxophone and piano, DP

Sonata Elegiaca, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Sonatina, for alto saxophone and piano, Eth

Sonatine Giocosa, for bass saxophone and piano, Pres

Sonorities IV, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Sonorities VII, for tenor saxophone and piano, Eth

Sonorities VIII, for bass saxophone and piano, Eth

Suite, for saxophone quartet, PhiCo

Suite No.2, for saxophone quartet, Pres

Suite for Five Winds, for alto saxophone, flute, oboe, clarinet, trombone, Wi&Jo

Trio, for three saxophones, Pres

Trio 2001, for two alto saxophones and piano, Wi&Jo

Trio Concertino, for three saxophone and band, South

Trio Estatico, for alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and piano, Eth

Trio for Reeds and piano, for soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone and piano, DP

Trio Miniatures, for alto saxophone, baritone saxophone and piano, Pres

Trio Sontat, for alto saxophone, cello and piano, Eth

Valse Vertigo, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

A William Billings Suite, for saxophone ensemble, DP

49
Comments:

American composer Walter S. Hartley was born in Washington, D.C. in 1927. In 1953,

he received a Ph.D. in composition from the Eastman School of Music at the University of

Rochester. While at Eastman, he studied with Thomas Canning, Herbert Elwell, Dante Fiorillo,

Howard Hanson, Burrill Philips and Bernard Rogers. Hartley is Professor Emeritus of Music at

the State University of New York at Fredonia. Between 1956 and 1964, he also taught piano,

theory and composition at the National Music Camp (now Interlochen Arts Camp) in Interloch-

en, Michigan. Hartley is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publish-

ers (ASCAP), from which he has received an annual award for achievement in serious music

since 1962.37

Hartley is undoubtedly one of the most prolific composers of music for the saxophone.

Since he wrote Suite for Five Winds for flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone and trombone in

1951, he composed more than 140 pieces for saxophone in the following sixty years.38 Hartley

attempts to write for saxophones in all possible genres, including solo saxophone, saxophone du-

et, saxophone quartet, mixed chamber ensemble, large saxophone ensemble to concertos for sax-

ophone and orchestral and band pieces. Except for his Dance, Hartley’s compositions for saxo-

phone duets also include Duet-Sonatina (1986), Duo Sonata (1997) and Duet for Saxophones

(2002).

Dance, for two like-saxophones, was written for saxophonist Lee Patrick in 1990. This

short composition contains only one movement with a fast tempo (quarter note =120). The me-

37
“Biographical Introduction,” accessed March 2, 2015, http://www.walterhartley.com.
38
Timothy Roberts, “Master class of Walter Hartley’s Sonata for Tenor Saxophone and Piano,” Saxophone Journal
35, no. 3 (January/February 2011), 50.

50
lodic motive and rhythmic figure in the first four measures serves as the primary theme and es-

tablishes a folk and dance-like characteristic (see Example 23).

Example 23: Hartley, Dance, mm.1-4

Copyright © 1990 by Ethos Publications. Used with permission.

Like many of Hartley’s other pieces, he composes with dissonant harmony and intervals,

as well as chromaticism. A specific melodic structure corresponding with folk music is Hartley’s

application of the major pentatonic scale. Hartley extensively uses pentatonic scales in various

formats. Examples 24 and 25 demonstrate Hartley’s penchant for this technique.

Example 24: Hartley, Dance, mm. 68-69

Copyright © 1990 by Ethos Publications. Used with permission.

Hartley twists the pentatonic scale into a pattern of melodic fourths. Between mm. 53-57,

the arpeggiated figures are built from the intervals of ascending and descending perfect fourths;

however, these gestures are also composed of different pentatonic scales. From voice 1 to voice

2, the pentatonic scales descend by either major or minor second: C-flat pentatonic to A penta-

tonic; C pentatonic to B-flat pentatonic; and G, to G-flat. (see Example 25)

51
Example 25: Hartley, Dance, mm. 53-57

Copyright © 1990 by Ethos Publications. Used with permission.

52
 Hindemith, Paul, Konzerstück

Title: Konzerstück (1933)

Composer: Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Lebhaft
II. Mäßig langsam-Lebhaft

Type of saxophones: two alto saxophones

Duration: c. 8 minutes 40 seconds

Range: Alto saxophone 1: B1 – altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch D3 – C6)

Alto saxophone 2: B1 – altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch D3 – Bb5)

Required extended techniques: Altissimo register

Dedication: Sigurd Raschèr

Availability: Schott

Available recording:

1. Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics, CC4006, 2012

2. Shin-ichiro Hirosaka and Yasushi Arai. 6 Caprices. Meister Music, MM-2204, 2008

3. Raschèr Saxophone Quartet (Harry Kinross White and Carina Raschèr). Bis-1153, 2002

4. Kenneth Tse and Nobuya Sugawa. Stellar Saxes. Crystal CD359, 200

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Sonate, for alto horn (alto saxophone) and piano, Sch

Trio, op.47, for piano, viola and heckelphone (or tenor saxophone), Sch

53
Comments:

Paul Hindemith was a German composer, theorist, conductor, violinist, violist and teach-

er. He was born in Hanau in 1895. He studied conducting, violin and composition in Hochsche

Konservatorium, Frankfurt am Main. From 1922 to 1929, his string quartet (he played viola with

the Amar Quartet) performed about 500 concerts throughout Europe. Hindemith was the profes-

sor of composition at Berliner Hochschule für Musik (now, Berlin University of the Arts). In

1938, he moved to Switzerland to flee the Nazi regime. Later, he settled in the United States and

received American citizenship in 1946. Hindemith taught at the Yale University School of Music

from 1940 to 1953. In the last decade of his life, he returned to Europe and taught at the Univer-

sity of Zurich. He died in Frankfurt, 1963.39

Paul Hindemith is one of the most significant composers in the twentieth century. His

music departs from nineteenth-century traditions of the past and experiments with new sounds

influenced by different elements such as American and jazz music.40 His most significant works

focus on chamber music, band music, orchestral music and opera works in smaller scale. He was

the foremost advocate of German Gebrauchsmusik (“music for use” or “utility music”), meaning

music for amateur musicians. He also composed for many rare instruments such as alto horn,

heckelphone and viola d’amore as well as the less popular classical solo instruments such as tuba

and saxophone. Some of his compositions for wind band are considered the earliest and most

important works of concert band literature.41

When Hindemith taught at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, the German pioneer sax-

ophone pedagogue Gustave Bumcke was his colleague and influenced Hindemith to include the

39
Karen Wylie, “Gebrauchsmusik in Paul Hindemith's Works for Saxophone: The Place of Konzerstück für Zwei
Altsaxophone” (D.M.A. diss., University of Houston, 2002).
40
Ibid., 1.
41
Ibid., 16.  

54
saxophone in many of his works. Among these include Der Lindberghflug (Lindbergh’s Flight),

Symphonie militaire en Sib for concert band, Sonate for alto horn (or alto saxophone) and piano,

Konzerstück für Zwei Altsaxophone and Trio, op.47 for viola, heckelphone (or tenor saxophone)

and piano.42

The Konzerstück for two alto saxophones was composed for Sigurd Raschèr in Berlin,

1933. Due to the dangerous threat by the Nazis, both Hindemith and Raschèr had to leave the

country during that time. Raschèr premiered this piece with his daughter Carina on July 29, 1960

at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Hindemith never heard this piece per-

formed before he passed away.43

The structure of the Konzerstück is in three movements, although there is no number or

movement title for the third movement; the tempo indications separate second movement into

two distinguished parts. This piece displays typical characteristics of Hindemith’s compositional

devices: neoclassic style, complex rhythms, angular melody, chromaticism, harmonic disso-

nance, expressiveness and an aggressive musical style. The first movement, Lebhaft, is in sonata-

allegro form with two contrasting themes: the opening section with forceful, fast and technical

passages and the second with lyrical phrases and much softer in dynamic.44 The second move-

ment, Mässig langsam (moderately slow), is lyrical, calm and sentimental. The form is an A-B-A

with a repeated opening theme. The final movement, Lebhaft, is in rondo form, with a brisk and

lively character. The tempo is fast (in 3/8 time, dotted quarter note = c. 76) and contains system-

atic use of polymeter.45

42
Umble, 237.
43
Ibid, 237.
44
Wylie, 59.
45
Umble, 237.

55
 This piece contains several technical challenges. First, the accuracy of the repetition, se-

quences, counterpoint and rhythmic unisons in the first and third movement is essential. Precise

intonation is essential to the performance, especially when the two voices create unisons or oc-

taves (see Examples 26a and 26b).

Example 26a: Hindemith, Konzerstück, Mvt. I, mm. 3-4

Copyright © 1933 by Schott Music, Mainz, Germany. Used with permission.

Example 26b: Hindemith, Konzerstück, Mvt. I, mm. 38-40

Copyright © 1933 by Schott Music, Mainz, Germany. Used with permission.

Hindemith composes melodic lines that incorporate extensive altissimo passages in both

saxophone parts throughout entire piece. Clearly, performance of these passages requires flaw-

less control from both soloists. As can be observed from both musical examples above, Hinde-

mith applies the notes of the altissimo register as if this was a common, compositional technique.

Today, it is. In 1933, it was not.

56
 Koch, Erland von, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr

Title: Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr (1987)

Composer: Erland von Koch (1910-2009)

Movement title / Tempo Markings:

I. Allegro vivace
II. Andantino espressivo
III. Molto vivace

Type of saxophones: two alto saxophones

Duration: c. 7 minutes 40 seconds

Range: Alto saxophone 1: Bb1 – altissimo F4 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Ab6)

Alto saxophone 2: Bb1 – altissimo Db4 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – E6)

Required extended techniques: flutter tongue, percussion effect (slap-tongue like), altissimo reg-

ister

Dedication: Sigurd Raschèr

Availability: Dorn publication

Available recording: Lawrence Gwozdz. Raschèr International. Albany, Troy 289, 1998

Comments:

The Swedish composer, Erland von Koch was born in Stockholm. His father was the

Romantic composer Sigurd von Koch (1879-1919). Erland von Koch attended the Stockholm

Conservatory and studied with Melcher Melchers between 1931-35. Following his studies in

Stockholm, he went to France and later to Germany in order to study with Paul Höffer. Upon re-

57
turning to Sweden in 1938, Koch taught at Karl Wohlfarts Musikschule and became the profes-

sor of harmony at the Stockholm Conservatory.46 Koch wrote a considerable amount of music

for the Swedish film industry and became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

He received numerous international honors and prizes for his compositions. Koch was a prolific

composer, producing 6 symphonies, 15 solo concertos, 5 ballets, 12 “Scandinavian dances,” mu-

sic for 30 films and many other solo works. The 18 Monologues are considered famous solo

compositions and they are a series of studies for several orchestral instruments, including the

saxophone (specifically, Monologue Nr. 4 for solo alto saxophone). Additionally, he wrote many

compositions for both solo saxophone and saxophone quartet, including his well-known Concer-

to for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra in E-flat Major (1958).

Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr was written to celebrate the life and music of the leg-

endary saxophonist on his 80th birthday. It was requested by saxophonists Lawrence Gwozdz and

Harry Kinross White in 1987. Together they premiered this piece at Raschèr’s home in the same

year.47

Koch attempts to illustrate the cultural aspects and musicianship of Sigurd Raschèr. He

adopts many different musical styles such as Fanfares, Swedish Folk Songs, the German Nation-

al Anthem, as well as some special saxophone skills such as extended techniques and obviously,

the extreme altissimo register.48 The various musical styles are a tribute to Raschèr’s cultural

background. The use of extended techniques and extensive, extreme high notes also represent

Raschèr’s interests in exploring the tonal possibilities of the saxophone.

46
Durst, 46.
47
Ibid., 46.
48
Ibid., 46.

58
 This piece is a three-movement work that is written in fast-slow-fast formal structure.

The first movement is a fanfare with the eight-measure primary theme recurring four times.

Rhythmic precision is obvious. There are copious amounts of dotted eighth notes followed by

sixteenth notes in this movement; performers should avoid swinging these rhythms as they do

not correspond to the appropriate musical style.49

The second movement contains variations on the Swedish folk song Glãdjens blomster,

(Flower of Delight or The Blossom of Happiness). The following two examples demonstrates the

folk song and Koch’s application of this melody in measure 1 to 13 (see Examples 27a and b).

This lyrical movement follows the traits of a particular traditional Swedish folk dance called the

Polska. It is typically a partner dance in 3/4 time and often starts slow and develops with speed

and energy.50

Example 27a: Glãdjens blomster

49
Ibid., 48.
50
Ibid., 49.

59
 English translation of the lyrics:

The flowers in the mould of earth,

Oh , sure never sprout!
Love itself is the insidious
For the quiet of your heart.
But above there, hope and faith,
They bloom freshly forever.
Do you hear how the spirits sweetly,
Whispering them into the heart? 51

Example 27b: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. II, mm. 1-13

Copyright © 1987 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

The final movement is a march.52 Koch incorporates some extreme altissimo notes into

the melody and extended techniques, such as percussive effects and flutter tonguing, in this

movement. During the climax, the opening theme of the first movement reappears an octave

higher than the original statement.

The most challenging aspect of this work is the passages composed in the altissimo regis-

ter. There are some extreme high notes found in the melodic line in mm. 109-113. Example 28

demonstrates this passage as well as the author’s fingerings for these high notes. With regard to
51
English translation is provided by the author.  
52
Ibid., 50.

60
notes higher than altissimo D4, performers should pay special attention to both of the intonation

and tone quality.

Example 28: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. III, mm. 109-113

Copyright © 1987 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

Another difficult performance technique is the articulation necessary to execute the pas-

sage written in the altissimo. Slurring to high notes can be challenging, as demonstrated in Ex-

ample 29.

Example 29: Koch, Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr, Mvt. I, mm. 67-72

Copyright © 1987 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

61
 In order to ease the challenge of these high notes, performers should find the suitable fin-

gerings to execute this technique in order to create smooth transitions. Furthermore, the author

suggests first practicing these passages in the lower octave as demonstrated in the #1 exercise in

the following figures. Second, by disregarding the indicated rhythms, the performer can focus on

accurate in intonation and articulations. Practicing these high notes with various rhythmic figures

wile maintaining a slow tempo will help the soloist learn the new fingerings patterns. It may be

necessary to break a long phrase into smaller parts so that one can focus on practicing only two

or three new notes. This helps to identify where mistakes are habitually made as well as to de-

velop the evenness of the fingering technique. The author suggests the following exercises found

in Figure 2, based on the top voice of the third and fourth measure in the Example 29, as possible

methods for mastery of the music in these measures.

Figure 2: Pedagogical exercises based upon Koch’s Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr

62
63
 Koch, Erland von, Dialogue

Title: Dialogue (1975)

Composer : Erland von Koch (1910-2009)

Movement title / Tempo markings: None

Type of saxophones: soprano and alto saxophone

Duration: c. 5 minutes

Range: Soprano saxophone: Bb1 – altissimo D4 (Sounding Pitch Ab3 – C6)

Alto saxophone: Bb1 – altissimo F4 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Ab6)

Required extended techniques: altissimo register

Dedication: Sigurd Raschèr and Carina Raschèr

Availability: Dorn publication

Available recording: None

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Bagatella virtuosa, for saxophone quartet, SMIC

Cantelina e vivo, for saxophone quartet, CG

Concerto, for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Peer

Concerto piccolo, for soprano saxophone, alto saxophone and string orchestra, Br&Ha

Danse No.2, for saxophone quartet, CG

Miniatyrer, for saxophone quartet, Br&Ha

Moderato e Allegro, for saxophone ensemble, Eth

64
 Monolog Nr. 4, for solo alto saxophone, CG

Rondo, for alto saxophone and string orchestra, DP

Saxophonia: Concerto, for saxophone quartet and wind orchestra, SMIC

Sonata, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Vision, for alto saxophone and string orchestra, CG

Comments:

The Dialogue for soprano and alto saxophone duet was written in 1975, the same year of

Koch’s other composition Monologue Nr. 4 for solo saxophone mentioned above. There are sim-

ilarities between these two pieces. For instance, compared with the andante espressivo, the first

movement of Monologue Nr.4, both contain the headings entitled “Fantasia.” Both are slow and

lyrical, and both are written without measure lines. What makes this duet interesting are the titles

of each work. Both clearly indicate the instrumentation for each compositions: Koch uses one

saxophone in Monologue Nr. 4 and two saxophones in Dialogue. Dialogue is, in a sense, the ex-

tension of a Monologue, an interaction between two characters.

Throughout the entire composition, the melodic lines between the two voices are always

in imitation. In this “call and response” phrase structure, the melody typically begins in the lower

register of the alto saxophone and then echoed by the higher register of the soprano saxophone.

In each phrase, the upper voice remains one octave higher than the lower voice. Since the com-

poser does not provide any tempo markings or measure lines, it is natural to perform with much

tempo rubato between phrases.

The melody and rhythm of this piece are not very difficult and therefore, the piece is ap-

propriate for younger saxophonists. This is an opportunity for saxophonists with less experience

to develop accurate intonation and improve the tone quality of the high register.

65
 In Dialogue, Koch composed select passages with extremely high altissimo notes (with

optional notes in a low octave) (see Example 30). It is natural to assume that Koch wrote these

notes by special request in order to meet Sigurd Raschèr’s well-known interest in what he termed

the top tones; however, in the author’s opinion, these notes are too high to maintain an accepta-

ble tone quality with a smooth melodic line and precise intonation. The author’s suggestion is to

perform this piece within the regular register of the saxophone in order to produce the most mu-

sically satisfying experience for the listener.

Example 30: Koch, Dialogue

Copyright © 1975 Dorn Publications. Used with permission.

66
 Lacour, Guy, Suite en duo

Title: Suite en duo (1971)

Composer: Guy Lacour (1932-2013)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Allegro
II. Aria
III. Petite Fugue
IV. Largo-Scherzetto

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Duration: c. 11 minutes

Range: Saxophone 1: C1 – F#3

Saxophone 2: B1 – E3

Required extended techniques: altissimo register in the ad lib part (4th movement)

Dedication: Jacques Melzer and Roland Audefroy

Availability: Editions Billaudot

Available recording: Kenneth Tse and Nobuya Sugawa. Stellar Saxes. Crystal CD359, 2009

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Almacor, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Ballade pour Georges, for alto saxophone, string quintet and piano, Bil

Belle époque – Evocation, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Cantilude, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Chanson modale, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

67
Confluences, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

100 Déchiffrages, for solo saxophone, Bil

Divertissement, for alto saxophone and percussion, Bil

Entrelacs, for flute and alto saxophone, Bil

12 Esquisses dans le style contemporain, for solo saxophone, Bil

Etude de concert, for solo saxophone, Bil

8 Etudes brillantes pour saxophone, Led

24 Etudes atonales faciles, Bil

28 Etudes sur les modes à transpositions limitées d’O. Messiaen, Bil

50 Etudes faciles et progressives, Bil

Hommage à Jacques Ibert, for alto saxophone and orchestra, Bil

Méditation, for saxophone ensemble, Bil

Méditation II, for flute, soprano saxophone, clarinet, horn and bassoon, Bil

Mélonade, for tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Noctiléne, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Octophonie, for alto or tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

Patchwork, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Parties prenantes, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Piéce concertante, for tenor or alto saxophone and string orchestra, Bil

Piéces en trio, for three saxophones (SAT), Bil

Prélodie, for saxophone and piano, Bil

Quatuor, for saxophone quartet, Bil

Tendre mélodie, for saxophone and piano, Bil

68
Comments:

French saxophonist and composer Guy Lacour was born in 1932, in Soissons, a com-

mune in the northern part of France. He studied saxophone with Marcel Josse, and won first

prize at the Conservatory of Versailles. In 1950, he studied saxophone with Marcel Mule and

chamber music with Fernand Oubradous at Paris Conservatory. In 1952 and 1955, Lacour won

the first prize for saxophone and the first prize for chamber music. Lacour was not only a classi-

cal saxophonist but also active as a commercial saxophonist at the Paris Lido, Moulin Rouge,

and Folies Bergère in Paris. In 1961, he joined the renowned Marcel Mule Quartet as the tenor

saxophonist and with that ensemble, travelled extensively. This legendary quartet recorded sev-

eral LPs and performed in radio broadcasts throughout Europe. Lacour also performed with the

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Paris Opera’s Orchestra and Radio-France Orchestra. Beginning

in 1975, he taught saxophone at the École Nationale de Musique Edgar Varèse in Gennevilliers

and later became the director of the Municipal Conservatory of Mantes-la-Ville in Yvelines.

Lacour was a self-taught composer. His compositions contain various musical styles such as to-

nal, atonal, and twelve-tone music. As a pedagogue, he has greatly contributed significant teach-

ing materials. Notable works include his 50 Etudes Faciles et Progressives Vol.1 and Vol.2, 28

Études sur les modes à transpositions limitées d’O. Messiaen and 8 Études brillantes pour saxo-

phone.53

This Suite en duo was composed in 1971 and premiered in the same year. It was dedicat-

ed to two French saxophonists, Jacques Melzer and Roland Audefroy. Melzer was the saxophone

53
“Guy Lacour: Biography,” Gérald Billaudot, accessed April 13, 2015,
http://www.billaudot.com/en/composer.php?p=Guy&n=Lacour.

69
professor at CNSM Nice, where he co-founded the Ensemble de Saxophone Français along with

fellow French saxophonists Roland Audefroy, Jean-Marie Londeix and Guy Lacour.54

This duet for saxophones could be performed by either two oboes or two clarinets. It con-

tains five movements with the last two movements performed without a break. While this piece

was written in the style of Bach’s two-part inventions, the characteristic of symmetry and repeti-

tion of certain intervals evokes Olivier Messiaen’s modes of limited transposition.55 The opening

movement, Allegro, is built on the second mode of limited transposition given to Lacour by Mes-

siaen (see Example 31). It is the octatonic/diminished scale and composed by juxtaposing two

diminished chords - C diminished seventh chord with the D-flat diminished seventh chord. Ex-

ample 32 demonstrates Lacour’s application of this mode.

Example 31: Messiaen’s Modes of Limited Transposition: Second Mode

Example 32: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. I, mm.1-4

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

The second movement, Aria, contains lyrical phrases in imitation between the two voices

in imitation. The harmonic design is based on the sixth mode of Messiaen’s system (see Exam-

54
Thomas Dryer-Beers, The Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1998).  
55
Georges Gourdet, Preface, Guy Lacour’s Suite En Duo, Editions Billaudot, 1971.

70
ples 33a, 33b and 33c). This mode is composed by two tetrachords displaced by tritone. Several

of the notes illustrated in the transposed scale illustrated in Example 33b are circled in the musi-

cal passage found in Example 33c.

Example 33a: Messiaen’s system: Sixth mode (original)

Example 33b: Messiaen’s system: Sixth mode with transposition (half-step)

Example 33c: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. II, mm.1-2

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

The harmonic design of the third movement, Petite Fugue, is based on the third mode of

Messiaen’s system. This mode is a scale structure built from three, three-note cells on an aug-

mented triad. The intervallic center of each cell is whole-step, whole-step, half-step. Instead of

applying the original mode, Lacour employs two different transpositions of this particular mode

71
in this movement. Examples 34 a, b, c and d demonstrate this mode and their transpositions as

well as Lacour’s application in his duet.

Example 34a: Messiaen’s system: Third mode (original)

Example 34b: Messiaen’s system: Third mode with transposition (whole-step)

Example 34c: Messiaen’s system: Third mode with transposition (one and half-step)

72
Example 34d: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Mvt. III, mm. 1-5

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

French saxophonist Georges Gourdet provides a description of the third movement, Petite

Fugue, in the preface of the Billaudot edition:

La PETITE FUGE…ramène à la charmante légèreté de l’Allegro primitive mais

dans un climat plus âpre: si l’Allegro évoque un bavardage futile de carac-
tère…feminine!, la Petite Fugue ressemblerait plutôt à une discussion, animée
certes, mais virile…56

(La Petite Fugue revives the charming lightness of the previous movement Alle-
gro but rather harsher in character: if the Allegro evokes a futile chattering of fe-
males, Petite Fugue resembles an energetic discussion of men…)57

56
Ibid.
57
English translation is provided by the author.

73
 The five-measure long fourth movement, Largo, serves as a mysterious and serious intro-

duction to the dazzling final Scherzetto. The music in this movement is composed from the sev-

enth mode of Messiaen’s system (see Examples 35 a, b, c, d). The seventh mode is a scalar struc-

ture composed of two five-note cell displaced by tritone. One will notice that there are four half-

steps in each five-note cell.

Example 35a: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode (original)

Example 35b: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode with transposition (whole-step)

Example 35c: Messiaen’s system: Seventh mode with transposition (one and half-step)

Example 35d: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., Scherzetto, mm. 1-5

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

74
 The rapid tempo and continuous sixteenth-notes in the final movement create an exciting

climax to the piece. It concludes with a constant and an aggressive staccato sixteenth-note pat-

tern with optional altissimo notes in the top voice at the point where the two voices create oc-

taves (see Example 36).

Example 36: Lacour, Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., Scherzetto, mm.118-121

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

Lacour provides specific articulation markings in this piece, including staccato, slur, ac-

cents, staccato accents and different combinations of these articulation. The fast tempo, continu-

ous staccato, and arpeggiated sixteenth notes require great control by the performer. Another

challenging technical aspect to the performance of this duet is the angular line as can be seen

mm. 92-95 in the final movement (see Example 37). Lacour writes the melodic line in octaves

and therefore, precise intonation is essential, even at this fast tempo.

Example 37: Lacour’s Suite En Duo, Final Mvt., mm. 92-95

Copyright ©1971 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

75
 Lamb, John David, Barefoot Dances

Title: Barefoot Dances (1962)

Composer: John David Lamb (b. 1935)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Firm
II. Swinging
III. Sauntering
IV. Lively
V. Jaunty
VI. Brisk

Type of saxophones: soprano and alto saxophone or two alto saxophones

Duration: c. 6 minutes

Range: Soprano saxophone: D1 – E3 (Sounding Pitch C3 – D5)

Alto saxophone: C#1 – D3 (Sounding Pitch E3 – F5)

Required extended techniques: None (Altissimo register in the version with two alto saxophones)

Dedication: Sigurd Raschèr

Availability: Näckens Vänner

Available recording: Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Affirmations, for saxophone quartet, NV

Chorale Variations, for three saxophones, NV

Fabies sonata, for alto saxophone and piano, NV

Follies, for baritone saxophone and piano, NV

76
 Madrigal, for three saxophones, AMP

Nocturne, for alto saxophone and chamber wind ensemble, NV

Play Time, for soprano saxophone and piano, NV

Romp, for baritone saxophone and piano, Bel

Sonata, for soprano saxophone and piano, NV

Three Antique Dance, for solo saxophone, Eth

Comments:

American composer John David Lamb was born in 1935 and grew up in Yakima, Wash-

ington. He received a M.A. composition and conducting in 1958 from the University of Wash-

ington. He states that his most important influences have been independent study with the La-

tivan nationalist composer Volfgangs Darzins and the study of traditional Swedish folk music.58

According to the correspondences with the composer, the compositional background is

described in below:

Barefoot Dances is the first music I wrote at the request of Sigurd Raschèr back in
1960. I met Sigurd Raschèr in 1960 at music educators' conference. Until that
time, I had never heard the saxophone used as an instrument for classical music
and in fact had unreasonable prejudices against it. Mr. Raschèr's sensitive and
brilliant playing completely changed my mind. We talked after his performance,
and he asked me what I did in music. When he heard that I composed, he immedi-
ately said that I should write something for him. At the time, I didn't know that he
always said that whenever he met a composer, and I was stunned. But I was also
young and willing to try anything. He suggested that I write a set of duets for him
to play with his daughter, Carina. I set to work immediately when I got home, and
in a few weeks I was able to send him the first draft of the Barefoot Dances. At
that time, they were imagined for soprano and alto saxophones. Mr. Raschèr liked
the pieces and told me that he would play the soprano part on the alto because he
liked the brilliance of the altissimo register. At that time, I knew little about the
technical limits of the saxophone and was happy to follow any of his sugges-
tions. And that is how the pieces came to be for two altos. Mr. Raschèr played
them often and used them widely in his teaching. He soon arranged for them to be
published by McGinnis & Marx and did the editing himself.
58
“To the Fore Publishers,” accessed April 15, 2015. website: http://www.totheforepublishers.com.

77
 Years went by, and I wrote many more pieces as Mr. Raschèr requested
them. After about twenty-five years, the publisher changed hands and the Bare-
foot Dances went out of print. When they could not obtain the score from the pub-
lisher, saxophonists either made photocopies of borrowed scores, or they wrote to
me for help. All I could do was to send them a photocopy of my own score, and
that became a nuisance after a while. In 2012, I decided to make my own edition
and publish the work myself. The only major change was to return to the original
scoring for soprano and alto.59

While Lamb has written approximately 150 fiddle tunes in a Swedish dance style, the

Barefoot Dances were not influenced by Swedish music. According to the composer, this piece

was written in the early stage of his career and was among the earliest examples of music that he

considered to be his own “voice.” Lamb acknowledges he never heard any Swedish music at that

time. He states his clear influences were from Orff, Eastern European folk music, and the music

of Volfgangs Darzins, his Latvian composition teacher.60

Lamb’s characteristic compositional devices are clearly displayed throughout the Bare-

foot Dances. This duet contains six short movements and the length of each movement is approx-

imately one minute long. The form of each movement is a simple binary dance form with chang-

ing meters. Since these different dance rhythms involve the frequent switching meter, Lamb does

not provide time signatures throughout the piece (see Example 38).

59
John David Lamb (personal communication through e-mail, October 23, 2014)
60
John David Lamb (personal communication through e-mail, January 24, 2015)

78
Example 38: Lamb, Barefoot Dances, Mvt. VI, mm. 1-1361

Copyright © 2012 John David Lamb. Used with permission.

Lamb composed his music in the Barefoot Dances with diatonic harmony. Often, he em-

ploys the Lydian Dominant scale, which contains the sharp fourth and flat seventh. The technical

demand is not very challenging unless one uses the alto saxophone as a substitute for the soprano

saxophone. In the version for two alto saxophones, saxophone one contains altissimo notes in

movements I, II, IV and VI.

The combination of the fast tempo, rapid articulation, lyrical melody, comfortable range

of the saxophone and short length make this composition perfect material for either a concert

performance or pedagogical purpose. This piece also offers a great opportunity for young sax-

ophonists to learn the style of folk dance music and how to perform without meters.

61
The time signatures were added by this author, they do not appear in the original score.  

79
 Lauba, Christian, Adria

Title: Adria (1985)

Composer: Christian Lauba (b. 1952)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Quarter note = 96 (108)

Quarter note = 44
Quarter note =144 (132)

Type of saxophones: two alto saxophones

Duration: c. 9 minutes

Range: Alto saxophone 1: Bb1 – altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Bb5)

Alto saxophone 2: Bb1 – altissimo G3 (Sounding Pitch C#3 – Bb5)

Required extended techniques: altissimo register, burst crescendo, harmoniques, micro-tone,

multiphonic, quarter tone vibrato, slap tongue, subtone, very high note (unspecific pitch)

Dedication: Federico Mondelci

Availability: Resolute Music Publications

Available recording: Serge Bertocchi and Jean-Michel Goury. En Toute Amitie.
Erol Records EROC 7013, 1991

Comments:

Composer Christian Lauba was born in Sfax, Tunisia in 1952. He studied harmony with

Michel Fusté-Lambezat at the Conservatory of Bordeaux, France and 1993, he became the pro-

fessor of analysis at that Conservatory. Lauba has received prizes and awards such as the First

80
Prize for Composition at Bordeaux Conservatory, the First prize in the Berlin International Com-

position Competition and the SACEM prize for his famous Neuf études pour saxophones.62

The French saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix, premiered Edison Denisov’s Sonata for al-

to saxophone and piano in the 1970 at the World Saxophone Congress in Chicago.63 This was

the first major work for saxophone to apply the extended techniques of glissando, flutter-tongue,

growling and multiphonics in one composition. Following this landmark performance, many

other composers started to incorporate extended techniques into their music for the saxophone.

Christian Lauba is one such composer. In his music, he explores extended techniques such as

circular breathing, flutter tonguing, glissando, microtones, multiphonics, slap tonguing and uses

them extensively in his compositions.

The Italian saxophonist Federico Mondelci commissioned Adria in September 1985 and

was actually composed in Mondelci’s house, located on the Adriatic Coast in Italy. This explains

the title of the piece. According to the composer’s note published in the score, this piece is the

result of a close collaboration between composer and interpreter. Lauba attempts to evoke the

scents and landscapes of the Mediterranean nights before summer dies away.64

Lauba mixes elements of contemporary and popular music from the Mediterranean area;

however, there are no obvious borrowed melodies. The music is entirely original. Lauba explores

various extended techniques in this composition such as harmonics, micro-tones, multiphonics,

quarter tone vibrato and slap tongue. Furthermore, Lauba demands extreme dynamics, such as

pianissississimo (pppp) and fortississimo (fff), from the artist.

62
Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACEM) is a French professional association collect-
ing payments of artists’ rights and redistribute them to the original composers and music publishers.
63
Umble, 222.
64
Christian Lauba, Preface. Adria. Fuzeau, 1985  

81
 The structure of this piece is divided into three sections: fast-slow-fast. In order to main-

tain the extensive harmonic tension, he intentionally applies the dissonances of minor second in-

tervals between the two parts. He even uses the 3/4 micro-tone and vibrato 1/4 de ton to cause

the sound to be perceived as unstable (see Example 39).

Example 39: Lauba, Adria, Rehearsal 32

Copyright © Resolute Music Publications, Marquette Michigan. Used with permission.

With regard to the use of vibrato, contemporary composers commonly adopt the tech-

nique of vibrato manipulation in their compositions. François Rossé indicates tight vibrato and

loose vibrato in his Le Frêne Égare for solo alto saxophone. Lauba writes the vibrato 1/4 de ton

(quarter tone vibrato) in several works such as Tadj for solo soprano saxophone and Vir for solo

tenor saxophone. Compared with the commonly accepted speed of the vibrato (i.e., 320 undula-

tions per minute65), the quarter-tone vibrato produces a wider and slower vibrato (a quarter tone

flat). In the end of Example 39, Lauba combines the quarter-tone vibrato and sans vibrato in the

two voices in order to create a mysterious atmosphere and uncertain sound.

This composition provides ample opportunity for saxophonists to practice both funda-

mental skills and extended techniques, including extreme dynamic contrasts, variety of attacks

65
Eugene Rousseau, Saxophone Artistry in Performance and Pedagogy (Ham Lake, Minnesota: Jeanné, 2013), 29.

82
(as well as the slap tongue), pianississimo staccato in the altissimo register, harmoniques and

staccato multiphonics.66

66
Umble, 256.

83
 Lauba, Christian, Ars

Title: Ars (1992-94) (from Nine Etudes V.3)

Composer: Chrisian Lauba (b. 1952)

Movement title / Tempo Markings: None

Type of saxophones: two soprano saxophones

Duration: c. 4 minutes 10 seconds

Range: Soprano saxophone 1: E1 – E3 (Sounding Pitch D3 –

D5) Soprano saxophone 2: B1 – B3 (Sounding Pitch A3 – A5)

Required extended techniques: multiphonics, subtone

Dedication: Jean-Marie Londeix

Availability: Alphonse Leduc

Available recording:

1. Koryun Asatryan. Works by Christian Lauba, Georges Aperghis, François Rossé, Étienne
Rolin, Hiroyuki Itoh, Hayden Chrisholm. Genuin, GEN12301, 2014

2. Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics, CC4006, 2012

3. Jeffrey Loeffert. Differential Moods. Blue Griffin BGR303, 2012.

4. Joël Versavaud. Christian Lauba: Neuf etudes pour saxophone 1992-1994. Maguelone
Music, Mag 111.123, 2003

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Arak, for solo soprano saxophone, Led

Bat, for solo baritone saxophone, Led

Bebop, for solo alto saxophone, ResMP

84
Bumble Beebop, for solo alto saxophone, ResMP

Cadenza for Glazounov’s concerto, for alto saxophone, Led

Chott 2, for solo soprano saxophone, CT

Clouds, for alto saxophone and tape, Led

Dies Irae, for soprano saxophone and organ, Ba

Dream in a bar, for baritone saxophone and percussion, Bil

Flamenco, for solo alto saxophone, ResMP

Hard, for solo tenor saxophone, Fuzeau (Fuz)

Hard too hard dixième etude, for solo tenor saxophone, Led

Ifni et Fès, for solo alto saxophone, CT

Kabuki, for solo soprano saxophone, Led

Little Clouds, for alto saxophone and tape, Bil

Massaï, for alto saxophone and bass clarinet, Led

Mist, for string quartet, alto saxophone, piano and tape, Led

Mutation-Couleurs IV, for saxophone ensemble, Fuz

Partyta, for solo soprano saxophone, ResMP

Pent, for solo alto saxophone, ResMP

Reflets, for saxophone quartet, Fuz

Rif, for flute, two saxophones, piano and percussion, Fuz

Salsa, for solo alto saxophone, ResMP

Stan, for baritone saxophone and CD, Led

Steady study on the boogie, for solo alto saxophone, Bil

Sud, for alto saxophone and piano, Fuz

85
 Worksong, for alto saxophone and Cd, Led

XYL – Balafon II, for alto saxophone and CD, Led

Neuf Études, for solo saxophone or two saxophones, Led

Comments:

After Christian Lauba was appointed the professor of music analysis at the Bordeaux

Conservatory, he collaborated with Jean-Marie Londeix. Lauba composed Neuf Études (Nine

Etudes) for the Bordeaux Conservatory saxophone studio between 1992 and 1994. These etudes

are considered by some to have changed the tonal concepts and the artistic expression of con-

temporary techniques for composers as well as for saxophonists.67 In Neuf Études, Lauba ex-

plores the new possibilities of music composition for saxophone, as well as the application of

various extended techniques. These nine etudes are subdivided into four volumes. Volume one is

for alto saxophone and includes four separate pieces: Balafon, Savane, Sanze and Jungle. Vol-

ume two is for either the soprano or tenor saxophone which includes three pieces: Tadj, Gyn and

Vir. Volume three is for the saxophone duet, Ars; and, volume four is for the baritone saxophone:

Bat. Each of these etudes was written for a specific type of saxophone and for a particular per-

formance and/or pedagogical purpose.68

Ars is written for two soprano saxophones and is an etude designed for the study of the

perfect fourth and fifth intervals, with a variety of tempo changes. The word Ars refers to Ars

Antiqua and Ars Nova. Below, Lauba describes the work and provides specific performance sug-

gestions:

67
Ku, 55.
68
Ibid., 62.

86
 In basing the work on these particular intervals I wanted to recreate an imaginary
“Middle Age,” chalumeau69 timbre is perfectly well suited for these intervals. The
saxophone must play in a ‘natural’ manner. The past can be regarded as yet an-
other kind of ‘exotic.’70

The tempo and meter change rapidly; sometimes, a certain tempo only maintains for one or two

measures. This design creates a free and elastic sense of time producing a feeling of improvised

music. In the score, Lauba provides specific instructions regarding the performance practice of

the piece such as, with a nasal tone, slightly legato, and non vibrato.

Like Adria, Lauba writes the extended techniques combined with extreme dynamic

changes. For instance, between rehearsal numbers 30-31, Lauba calls for multiphonics to be per-

formed with an extremely soft dynamic (pianississimo, ppp). This certainly increases the chal-

lenge for any performer. In order to execute these multiphonics flawlessly, the performer should

practice the pitch of each note of the multiphonics while using the given fingering. Example 40

demonstrates Lauba’s application of several extended techniques.

69
E. Hoeprich, A Single-Reed Woodwind Instrument from Greek: The Clarinet (New Haven, CT: Yale University
Press, 2008).
70
Umble, 259.

87
Example 40: Lauba, Ars, Rehearsal 30-31

Copyright © 1994 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

A special technique can be found in Example 40, the “bisbigliando.” It is abbreviated by

“bisb.” and Lauba applies this technique to alter the color of the tone quality. Saxophonist Mar-

cus Weiss’s book The Techniques of Saxophone Playing provides a detailed explanation and dif-

ferent fingerings for bisbligliando. Weiss addresses this term in his book and defines it as a tim-

bral trill with two or more alternate fingerings.71

71
Marcus Weiss, The Techniques of Saxophone Playing (Bärenreiter-Verlag Karl Vötterle GmbH & Co, 2010), 39.

88
 Morosco, Victor, Six Contemporary Etudes

Title: Six Contemporary Etudes for Saxophone In Duet Form (1974)

Composer: Victor Morosco (b. 1936)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Etude 1
Etude 2
Etude 3
Etude 4
Etude 5
Etude 6

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Duration: c. 22 minutes 40 seconds

Range: Saxophone 1: Bb1 – altissimo Bb4

Saxophone 2: Bb1 – F3

Required extended techniques: altissimo register, multiphonic, harmonic overtone

Dedication: None

Availability: Morsax Music

Available recording: Kenneth Tse and Nobuya Sugawa. Stellar Saxes. Crystal CD359, 2009 (On-
ly contains Etude 1, 2 and 4)

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

The Bay, for alto saxophone and piano, MorS

Blue Caprice, for solo alto saxophone, MorS

Christy, for saxophone quartet, MorS

Concerto, for alto saxophone and orchestra, MorS

89
 Entrata, for soprano saxophone and piano, MorS

Fanfare, for saxophone quartet, MorS

Italian Sketches, for saxophone quartet, MorS

Pacific Triptych, for alto saxophone and piano, MorS

Poco Pazzo, for saxophone quartet, MorS

Poema, for soprano saxophone and piano, MorS

Prologue/Baroque Blue, for saxophone quartet, MorS

Quintet, for flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone and bassoon, MorS

Song for R.C, for alto saxophone and saxophone quintet, MorS

Suite, for alto saxophone and piano, MorS

Trio, for flute, clarinet and alto saxophone, MorS

Comments:

Saxophonist and composer Victor Morosco was born in Italy in 1936. He studied with

saxophone virtuosos Vincent Abato and Joseph Allard in the Julliard School of Music in New

York. Morosco made his debut with the Juillard Orchestra in 1959, and in 1962, he performed a

solo recital at the Carnegie Recital Hall. Morosco has performed with the New York Philhar-

monic, the American Symphony and has been involved with many different types of musical

performances. Among these include various contemporary ensembles, Broadway musical shows

and commercial recordings for television and films. Morosco taught saxophone at the City Uni-

versity of New York Graduate Center, Brooklyn and Lehman Colleges, as well as at California

State University, Los Angeles. As a composer, the primary instrument for which he composed

was the saxophone. He wrote and performed the world premiere of his Concerto for alto saxo-

90
phone and orchestra with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra in 1997.72 Most would agree

that his most well-known composition is the Blue Caprice (1981) for solo saxophone.

The Six Contemporary Etudes for Saxophone in Duet Form were written in 1974. The

collection of these six original compositions contains various musical styles, some representing

tonal music, atonal music, classical music, the blues and jazz. Etude 1 is slow. There are two mu-

sical styles throughout the etude: one is atonality and the other is the blues. Morosco writes the

intervals of a minor second and tritone to create the dissonance between the two parts. With re-

gard to the blues, the two-measure primary motive appears several times throughout the entire

etude (see Example 41). Morosco writes accents on the weak parts of the beat to produce the

feeling of jazz swing. With the characteristic of highlighting the up-beat, he also applies the in-

terval of the minor third between the two voices in these two measures and creates the sound of

the blues. Furthermore, the notes C#, E, F#, G, G# are the basic component of the C-sharp blues

scale.

Example 41: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 1, mm. 13-14

Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

Etude 2 is a fast and exciting piece. It features the rhythm of bulerias, a typical twelve-

beat cycle Flamenco rhythm. Flamenco rhythms contain the meter of either duple, triple, or

combinations of these two. The typical bulerias compas (buleria rhythm or count) is in 12/4 and

72
Victor Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes for Saxophone In Duet Form, Morsax Music, 1974.

91
it often performed with accents on the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th beat.73 Morosco subdivides the

twelve-beat pattern by alternating 6/8 and 3/4 meters. (3+3+2+2+2). Compared with the tradi-

tional flamenco bulerías, Morosco emphasizes each downbeat. The two voices contain an identi-

cal rhythm throughout the piece. Example 42 and 43 demonstrates the buleria compas and Mo-

rosco’s application of this rhythm in his duet.

Example 42: Flamenco Rhythm

Example 43: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 2, mm. 1-6

Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

Etude 3 is the slowest of the six etudes. The primary rhythmic figure consists of two six-

teenth-notes and one-eighth note, tied to a longer note. The tonality is intentionally vague

through Morosco’s use of the diminished scale as the primary melodic element in this etude (see

Example 44).

Example 44: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 3, mm. 9-12

Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

73
Silviu Octavian Ciulei, “Flamenco Guitar Techniques In the Music Of Joaquin Rodrigo” (D.M.A. diss., Florida
State University, 2013), 41.

92
 Etude 4 is a short, joyful, and fast swing piece. Compared with the other five etudes, this

is the only etude that the composer suggests to perform in the style of swing jazz music. This is

also the only etude that Morosco writes chord changes in the score. It is based on a traditional

twelve-bar blues form. The chord progression, swing eighth-notes, syncopation, accent and ar-

ticulation are written in the jazz idiom. The goal of this etude seems to be that performers should

practice the swing feel and jazz articulation as well as syncopation and note bending. Although it

was not necessary to include the chord symbols in the etude, the composer did so in order to

clearly indicate the form of the twelve-bar blues (see Example 45).

Example 45: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 4, mm. 49-55

Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

As the lengthiest etude in the collection, Etude 5 contains an introduction with six varia-

tions. Throughout the entire etude, only variation one clearly restates the theme originally pre-

sented in the introduction. The primary theme first performed by saxophone one in the introduc-

tion, and repeated by saxophone two in the variation I (see Example 46).

The obvious melodic connection between the introduction and the other five variations is

Morosco’s extensive use of the perfect fourth interval: it is shared by all six variations. The fol-

93
lowing musical examples demonstrate how the composer consistently and extensively writes this

specific interval in each variation (see Examples 47a, b, c, d and e). In a sense, this piece focuses

the student on melodic lines created by ascending perfect fourths, often outlining quartal harmo-

nies. In example 47c, one should notice the first three notes in the top voice are displaed by tri-

tone from the theme in the introduction and variation I.

Example 46a: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Introduction, mm. 1-6

Example 46b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 1, mm. 1-5

Example 46a and b: Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

Examples 47a: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 2, mm. 1-4

94
Examples 47b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 3, mm. 21-25

Examples 47c: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 4, mm. 13-14

Examples 47d: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 5, mm. 6-7

Examples 47e: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 5, Variation 6, mm. 19-20

Example 47a-e: Copyright © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

The harmonic design of Etude 6 is free atonality. Morosco extensively employs the dis-

sonant intervals of the minor second and tritone between the two parts. The following examples

demonstrate the obvious application of the twelve-tone technique. Morosco composes by writing

the exact order of the tone row. The row chosen by Morosco highlights melodic tritons, which

95
are clearly present in all versions of the row (see Example 48a). Example 48b demonstrates Mo-

rosco’s application of the row — the top voice performs the Prime while the bottom voice per-

forms the Retrograde. The two voices create a homorhythmic texture and the melodic gesture is

punctuated by a harmonic major seventh in mm. 3.

Example 48a: Prime form of the tone row

Example 48b: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 1-3

In Examples 48c and 48d, Morosco applies the technique of voice exchange. He subdi-

vides the mm. 54 into two parts. In the first part, the top voice performs the Prime of the tone

row while the bottom voice performs the Retrograde. In the second part, he moves the line from

the bottom voice to the top voice, with the pitches an octave higher. Furthmore, he employs an-

other form of the tone row — Inversion (I) in the bottom voice of the second half.

Example 48c: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 54

96
Example 48d: Morosco, Six Contemporary Etudes 6, mm. 56-57

Example 48b, 48c, and 48d: © 1974 Morsax. Used with permission.

When perfoming these passages, the author suggests to practice the Prime form of the

tone row in both directions (forward and backward.) Appling different rhythmic figures and var-

ious notes grouping is an effective technique for practicing so that the performer can learn the

aural structure of the row. The following examples in Figure 3 demonstrate this method. Since

the composer usually applies the tone row in different octaves, performers should practice vari-

ous combinations of the notes from different octaves.

97
Figure 3: Pedagogical exercises based upon Morosco’s tone row74

74
based on Example 48b

98
 Noda, Ryo, Murasaki no Fuchi

Title: Murasaki no Fuchi (1979)

Composer: Ryo Noda (b. 1948)

Movement title / Tempo markings: None

Type of saxophones: two saxophones (E-flat or B-flat)

Duration: c. 10 minutes

Range: Saxophone 1: C1 – altissimo Ab4

Saxophone 2: Bb1 – D#3

Required extended techniques: quarter tone, microtone trill, slap tongue, flutter tongue, flutter

with portamento, multiphonic, overtones produced by played with half breath

Dedication: Hozan Yamamoto and Frederick Hemke

Availability: Alphonse Leduc

Available recording: Serge Bertocchi and Jean-Michel Goury. En Toute Amitie. Erol Records

EROC 7013, 1991)

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Fantaisie et danse, for solo baritone saxophone, Led

Gen concerto, for alto saxophone, string orchestra, piano and percussion, Led

Improvisations I, II, III, for solo alto saxophone, Led

La Nuit de Dinant, for solo alto saxophone, Led

Maï, for solo alto saxophone, Led

99
 Naissance de la neige, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Pavane – La Fée de la neige, for solo soprano saxophone, Led

Phoenix – Fushicho, for solo alto saxophone, Led

Pulse + −, for solo soprano saxophone, Led

Requiem – Shin-en, for solo tenor saxophone, Led

Comments:

Japanese composer and saxophonist Ryo Noda was born in Amagasaki, Japan in 1948.

After he graduated from the Osaka College of Music, he attended Northwestern University and

studied composition with M. William Karlins and saxophone with Fredrick Hemke. He also

studied composition with Michael Fuste-Lambezat and saxophone with Jean-Marie Londeix at

the Bordeaux Conservatory.75 Noda received numerous awards, including the Prix de Composi-

tion de la SACEM (1973), the Osaka City Art Festival Prize and the Grand Prix of Yamaha Elec-

tone Festival. Noda’s compositions for saxophone have been frequently performed and recorded

worldwide. Today, these compositions are commonly used on the repertoire lists for many im-

portant international saxophone competitions such as the Adolphe Sax Competition in Dinant,

the International Saxophone Competition in Slovenia, the International Saxophone Competition

in Nantes and the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference Young Artist Com-

petition.76

Ryo Noda’s music is influenced by traditional Japanese music, especially music for the

shakuhachi, an end-blown bamboo Japanese flute dating from the 13th century.77 Noda borrowed

75
Jean-Marie Londeix and Bruce Ronkin, Guide to the Saxophone Repertoire 1844-2012 (Cherry Hill, NJ: Roncorp,
2012), 314.
76
James Bunte, “A Player’s Guide to the Music of Ryo Noda: Performance and Preparation of Improvisation I and
Mai” (D.M.A. diss., University of Cincinnati, 2010), 2.
77
Ibid., 4.  

100
many elements of Japanese traditional music and unique performance techniques of the shakuha-

chi and successfully created a unique sound and style for his saxophone repertoire. Like other

avant-garde music, Noda’s music is atonal with the characteristics of improvisation; however,

the cultural influences allow his music to be highly distinguishable from other contemporary

compositions.78 The majority of repertoire composed by Noda is for solo saxophone.79

Murasaki no Fuchi 1 for two saxophones was written in 1979. With regard to the Japa-

nese title of this composition, Ryo Noda attempts to explain the meaning with a somewhat vague

description in an interview with Dutch TV followed by a performance this piece with Dutch sax-

ophonist Arno Bornkamp in 1991:

My music Murasaki No Fuchi, means the “ultra violet zone.” We see invisible
light in visible light…between the visible and invisible, this is Murasaki No Fu-
chi, the zone of ultra violet zone.80

In order to obtain a clearer explanation, the author contacted the composer through

an e-mail communication and received the following literal response from Noda (this e-

mail is unedited):

Title Murasaki means - violet color. beside visible light between invisible point
also Japanese people feel that mysterious and noble color. So my music try to
contact between each instrumentalists’ ultraviolet mind…I do not compose No. 2
Murasaki no fuchi but graphical compositions tittle Sounds of Ultraviolet and
Contact in Space. That composition is all improvisation system. These two com-
positions are not oriental sounds.81

Noda’s musical notation combines that of western tradition, contemporary notation as

well as notation of his own invention. He composes music by utilizing conventional notational

78
Chiaki Hanafusa, “The Influence of Japanese Composers on the Development of the Repertoire for the Saxophone
and the Significance of the Fuzzy Bird Sonata by Takashi Yoshimatsu” (D.M.A. diss., University of North Texas,
2010), 15.
79
Londeix, 314.
80
“Murasaki no fuchi – Arno Bornkamp & Ryo Noda,” YouTube, last modified November 20, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIGVnMN_lqM.
81
Ryo Noda (personal communication through e-mail, March 2, 2015)  

101
symbols such as the treble clef, a five-line staff, dynamic marks, fermata, flat, sharp and tradi-

tionally accepted indications like the octave higher notation (8va or 8˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙). He also adopts

commonly used contemporary notations such as symbols representing quartertone flat/sharp,

three-quarter-tone sharp, multiphonics (usually, Noda provides his own fingering chart) as well

as graphic notation. As in much of his music, Noda creates unique notations meant to depict the

flutter tongue with portamento, the Japanese “cutting tone” and graphic depictions of vibrato. In

Murasaki No Fuchi 1, Noda does not provide a tempo indication; instead, Noda uses three dif-

ferent graphic shapes to indicate the approximate speed of the performance. The notes inside of

the triangle shape should be performed somewhere between allegro and presto. The notes inside

of the rectangle shape should be performed between andante and moderato. The notes inside of

the ellipse-like shape should be performed between lento and adagio. The following example

demonstrate Noda’s notation.

Example 49: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi

Copyright © 1981 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

Murasaki No Fuchi can be performed with different instrumental combinations. Although

the version for two alto saxophones is the most commonly used in the concert setting; Noda indi-

cates on the score that the bottom part can be substituted with the tenor saxophone while the top

102
part can be substituted with the soprano saxophone or shakuhachi in the key of B-flat. In an e-

mail communication with the author, Noda states that his preference of the instrumentation for

this piece is the combination of the clarinet in B-flat with tenor saxophone.82

This piece is written in five sections. In the first, the top voice initiates an aggressive

statement, with rapid tempo, strong articulation, accent and load dynamics (from f to fff.) The

bottom voice responds with the polar opposite, medium tempo combined with extreme soft dy-

namics (from ppp to ppppp.) This is followed by a slow section which contains many microtones

and very soft dynamics (from p to pppp) in both parts. To reinforce the sound of unstable pitches

and to sustain the dissonance, Noda intentionally separates the two voices and applies quarter

tones. The two performers only play at the same time when there is a double-headed arrow be-

tween each part. Noda explains the symbol means “immediate transference of the figure.”83

Example 50: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi

Copyright © 1981 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

In the third section, Noda depicts fast groupings of notes (i.e., notes inside the triangle

shape) combined with strong dynamics in order to recall the opening statement. As the section

progresses, the fast, half-step trills dominant the texture resulting in the creation of tension and

musical excitement. Prior to the ending of the third section, a subito pianissimo in the top voice

and pianississimo in the bottom voice seamlessly leads into the fourth section. This short transi-

tional section invokes a mysterious atmosphere through sustained sound in the bottom voice.

82
Ryo Noda (personal communication through e-mail, March 2, 2015)
83
Ryo Noda, Murasaki no Fuchi, Alphonse Leduc, 1981.

103
Combined with a special technique, represented by an unusual notation that Noda identifies “half

breath playing” which the notation is shown in the musical example below, the composer elicits

an eerie, atmospheric tonal quality from the saxophone. This is a compositional device unique to

Ryo Noda’s artistry. Noda provides instruction of this technique in the score and suggests to per-

form these notes with half as much breath (air) as is typical, which makes it possible to obtain

high overtones.84

Example 51: Noda, Murasaki No Fuchi

Copyright © 1981 Alphonse Leduc. Used with permission.

In the final section, Noda composes music with many improvisatory materials and incor-

porates extended techniques such as flutter tongue, slap tongue, flutter with portamento and free

improvisation. The previous elements such as fast trills found in the opening statement, reappear

and lead to the climax of the piece. Following the climax, both parts return with music dominat-

ed by soft dynamics, a slow tempo with many fermatas (like the second section) and finally end

with extremely soft dynamics (ppppp).

In order to perform this piece, the performers must be familiar with the extended tech-

niques. Furthermore, the dynamic range is extremely wide: ppppp to fff. The performers will ob-

viously need great control over their breath support, especially in the sustained notes with soft

dynamics. In order to execute the precise intonation of mircotones, the performers should ex-

plore and discover alternate fingerings for the pitch accuracy. Control and flexibility of the em-

84
Ibid.

104
bouchure is important in the recreation of this piece, especially as the performers reproduce the

multiphonics in soft dynamics and obtain the high overtone effects.

105
 Robert, Lucie, Rythmes Lyriques

Title: Rythmes Lyriques: duo de saxophones (1984)

Composer: Lucie Robert-Diessel (b. 1936)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Quarter note = 60 – Dotted Quarter note =120

Quarter note =84 – Quarter note = 144

Type of saxophones: soprano and tenor saxophone

Duration: c. 11 minutes 20 seconds

Range: Soprano saxophone: A#1 – F#3 (Sounding Pitch G#3 – D5)

Tenor saxophone: B1 – altissimo A3 (Sounding Pitch A2 – G5)

Required extended techniques: altissimo register

Dedication: André Beun and Bernard Beaufreton

Availability: Editions Billaudot

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Berceuse pour Rémi, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Cadenza, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

3 Chansons, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Flammes et fume, op.53, for sopranio and saxophone quartet (SATB), Bil

Magheia, for saxophone quartet and piano, Bil

Passacaille, for tenor saxophone and piano, Bil

106
 Perpetuum mobile, for solo alto saxophone, Bil

Quintette, for alto saxophone and string quartet, Bil

Rhapsodie, for solo alto saxophone, DP

Sonate, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Strophes, for alto saxophone and piano, DP

Tétraphone, for saxophone quartet, Bil

Tourbillons, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Trinôme, for soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone and piano, Bil

Variations, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Comments:

Lucie Robert-Diessel was born in Rennes, France in 1936. She studied composition with

Tony Aubin and Yvonne Desportes at the Paris Conservatory and received several first prizes in

piano, accompaniment, organ, chamber music, composition and analysis. She won the Premier

Grand Prix de Rome in 1965. Robert was a Professor of Music at the Paris Conservatory where

she taught harmony, music theory and piano. She wrote many works for saxophone with many

different instrumental combinations. These include unaccompanied saxophone, saxophone and

piano, saxophone duet, quartet, large saxophone ensemble, mixed chamber ensemble, and a dou-

ble concerto for alto saxophone and piano with orchestra. Robert has been associated with some

of most important saxophonists such as Daniel Deffayet, Claude Delangle, Georges Gourdet,

Jean-Marie Londeix and many others.85

Rythmes Lyriques was written in 1984 for French saxophonists André Beun and Bernard

Beaufreton. They premiered the piece in Nuremberg, Germany. André Beun performed this

85
Bleuel, 2.

107
piece once again at the 1985 World Saxophone Congress in Washington, D.C., with another

French saxophonist, Michel Nouaux. This composition is one movement; but, it contains four

sections, each with a different tempo indications. Robert uses the opening homorhythmic figure,

with the voice parts displaced by a major seventh, as the primary motive throughout the entire

piece86 (see Example 52).

Example 52: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, mm.1-4

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission.

Sometimes the primary motive is performed in unison by both parts; in other instances, it

serves as the melodic line in either the top or bottom voice. In the example below, the soprano

saxophone states the primary motive while the passage in the tenor saxophone creates an ostinato

of mostly odd-numbered rhythmic groupings as an accompanimental gesture (see Example 53).

Three measures after rehearsal number 10, a voice exchange results in the placement of the pri-

mary motive in the bottom voice while the top has the accompanimental ostinato, now in even-

numbered groupings.

86
Ibid, 113.

108
Example 53: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 9 and 10

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission.

Occasionally, the primary motive is dissected and the parts interpolated between the ac-

companimental scalar gestures as demonstrated in Example 54 at rehearsal number 20. The sca-

lar gestures are not homorhythmic, but nearly so. These slight rhythmic differences create a

sense of instability. The interpolation of the primary motive provides rhythmic security while the

dissonant interval between in the two voices creates tonal tension.

109
Example 54: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 20

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission.

In addition to using the motive in a melodic manner, Robert applies it in yet another fash-

ion: as an ostinato figure. In the example below, found in the rehearsal number 30, Robert turns

the primary motive into an ostinato that supports new melodic material in the other saxophone

part.

Example 55: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 30

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission

110
 There are several quasi-cadenza passages in the second section. Robert provides an op-

portunity for the two performers to individually display virtuosic technique and melodic expres-

sion. Both soprano and tenor saxophones contain fast-moving gestures with rhythmic variety,

including scalar and arpeggiated figures in different groupings: triplets, quintuplets, sextuplets as

well as eleven-notes groupings. Before the end of this section, Robert inserts a unison section

with the restatement of the primary motive.

The final section, Più vivo, begins with the energetic rhythms found at rehearsal 31. Rob-

ert does not use measure lines in this movement; yet, the two saxophones sound homorhythmic

statements in octaves throughout the entire movement (see Example 56).

Example 56: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 31

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission.

Robert creates the climax of the piece by mixing the primary motive with the dissonant

intervals of the minor second and tritone in specific phrases (see Example 57). The piece con-

cludes with a dramatic crescendo in both parts from pianisimo to fortississimo leading to the fi-

nal three notes, D-A-D, seemingly to imply tonality in a primarily atonal composition.

111
Example 57: Robert, Rythmes Lyriques, Rehearsal 33 and 34

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris. Used with permission.

As can be observed from the several musical examples above, this composition contains

odd meters, rapid tempo with many complex rhythmic figures and a free improvisatory quasi-

cadenza. In order to reach accuracy of rhythm, especially in passages containing odd-numbered

flourishes, the two performers should match the style of articulation and accent. Since there are

many homorhythmic passages in octaves between the soprano and tenor saxophone, intonation is

an obvious issue.

112
 Rossé, François, Ximix

Title: Ximix (1997)

Composer: François Rossé (b. 1945)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Quarter note = 63

Type of saxophones: two soprano saxophones

Duration: c. 2 minutes 40 seconds

Range: Soprano saxophone 1: E1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – Eb5)

Soprano saxophone 2: D1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – Eb5)

Required extended techniques: glissando, slap tongue, instrument plus voice

Dedication: Sarah Bertocchi (Daughter of French saxophonist Serge Bertocchi)

Availability: Fuzeau
Available recording:

1. Koryun Asatryan. Untitled – works by Christian Lauba, Georges Aperghis, François

Rossé, Etienne Rolin, Hiroyuki Itoh, Hayden Chrisholm. Genuin, GEN12301, 2014

2. Goury, Jean-Michel. Parolium, Musiques de François Rossé. Erol Records EROC

7026, 2003

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Accompagnement, for solo soprano saxophone, Tms

Acton 46-07-98, for solo saxophone, Tms

Aka, for flute and soprano saxophone, Paq

Amtrak 118, for soprano saxophone and female voice, Paq

113
Anchée, for oboe, clarinet, saxophones, Tms

Arianna, for solo soprano saxophone, Paq

Atemkreis, for baritone saxophone and soprano voice, CT

Bear’s trio, for alto saxophone, piano and percussion, Paq

Cahiers 5 instants, for saxophone and voice, Tms

Clansy, for alto saxophone and bass clarinet, Led

Connexions, for solo alto saxophone, Sal

Cri d’aube, for solo saxophone, Tms

Cris de cerise, for voice, flute, saxophone, prepared piano, percussion and bass, Paq

Cseallox, for baritone saxophone and cello, Ba

Doubs’ear, for narrator, solo baritone saxophone, two flutes, two clarinets, two alto sax-

ophones, two bassoons, two horns and choir, Fuz

Ecco la pizza-pezzolino, for soprano saxophone and soprano voice, Tms

Etki en Droutzy, for saxophone and percussion, Fuz

In’arno – Dixtuor à vents, for two flutes, two clarinets, two saxophone, two bassoons and

two horns, Fuz

Jonction, for alto saxophone and piano, Paq

Kanente, for alto saxophone and tape, Led

Koravizok, for soprano saxophone, female voice and percussion, Paq

Krasnayaskaya, for two saxophone, flute, clarinet and bassoon, Fuz

La main dans le soufflé, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Le Frêne Égaré, for alto saxophone solo, Bil

Level 1091, for alto saxophone, recorder and electronics, Paq

114
Loan, for saxophone, cello and piano, Paq

Løbuk constrictor, for solo alto saxophone, Bil

Lombric, for two alto saxophones and piano, Lem

Lou, for baritone saxophone and female voice, Tms

Maryland’bass, for solo bass saxophone, Paq

Mod’son 7, for saxophone quartet, Dur

Monos 2 & 3, for solo alto saxophone, Tms

Nishi Asakusa, for alto saxophone and prepared piano, Paq

Noise D’fense, for solo saxophone, Tms

Orients, for saxophone, violin, piano and percussion, Paq

Ost Atem, for tenor saxophone and tape, Fuz

Pierre des vents, for saxophone, soprano voice, flute and piano, Fuz

Prélude à Kanente, for alto saxophone and tape, Led

Quartz 01.83, for three saxophones, Sal

Rohrlinge, for baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Tms

Round (8’), for saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, violin and cello, Paq

Salvador por Casualidad, for bass saxophone, flute, bass flute, piano, percussion and

electronics, Fuz

Saoûlimence, for tenor saxophone and voice, Tms

Sceptral, for saxophone, flute, prepared piano and percussion, Paq

Scriu Numele Tau, for solo soprano saxophone, Paq

Séaodie I, for alto saxopheon and piano, Bil

Séaodie II, for solo saxophone, Bil

115
 Séaodie III, for alto saxophone and harp, Bil

Shanaï, for two saxophones and saxophone ensemble, Paq

Spath, for saxophone ensemble, Fuz

Spoot’Wend, for two flutes, two clarinets and two alto saxophones, Paq

Strosaxburi, for two tenor saxophones and electronics, Fuz

…Sur un îot de la riviére…, for solo soprano saxophone, Paq

Triangle pour un soufflé – Concerto, for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Bil

Trio Seûl, for alto saxophone, flute and cello, Led

Trois roses d’un instant, for solo alto saxophone, Tms

Comments:

French composer François Rossé was born in 1945. He studied piano and obtained the

First Prize at the Music Academy of Strasbourg and then earned First Prizes for musical analysis

and composition from the Paris Conservatory where he was one of the last students in the class

of Oliver Messiaen. He also studied with Ivo Malec and Paul Méfano at the Paris Conservatory.

In 1974, he became the professor of analysis at CNR (Conservatoire National de Région) in Bor-

deaux. Rossé received several prestigious prizes, including the National Prize of the SACEM,

Second Prize of the National Music and Informatics competition presided by Iannis Xenakis,

Aperto International Competition of Bucharest, and International Composition Competition of

the Hochschule der Künste of Berlin.87 While at the CNR in Bordeaux, Rossé met the contem-

porary saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix, who encouraged him to write many compositions for

saxophone incorporating new techniques for performance. His Le Frêne Égaré for solo alto sax-

87
“François Rossé: Biography”, Gérald Billaudot, accessed April 12, 2015, http://www.billaudot.com/en/composer.

116
ophone has been described by some as the most significant works in contemporary saxophone

music.88

Ximix was composed to celebrate the birth of Sarah Bertocchi, the daughter of French

saxophonist Serge Bertocchi. Rossé wrote many compositions for the birth of his friends’ child-

ren. Ximix is one of those musical gifts. Mr. Bertocchi provides an interesting description about

the compositional background:89

As for Ximix, it's really a terrific piece by François Rossé, and I'm so glad to have
been granted the honor of its premiere with Jean-Michel Goury, as well as the in-
clusion on his Rossé record.

This piece is one of the many birth present pieces by François, who is so generous
with his friends as to offer them a new work when they have the blessing of a new
baby; when my daughter Sarah was born in January 20th, 1997, I sent François an
announcement postcard, among our relatives … and as an answer, I
was astonished to receive this marvelous present, dated February the 1rst, Lé-
ognan!

I never asked François about the title, a palindrome, like XASAX.90 On the origi-
nal manuscript score, the title appears on a stance pink and black
surrounding, like a ribbon cut in a tapestry. The manuscript indication is:
"Très amicalement; pour Sarah et ses Parents. François Rossé
(Very Friendly: For Sarah and Parents).

Ximix was composed for two soprano saxophones. Rossé provides specific performance

instruction in the foreword of the score:

Duo for soprano saxophones: this work is one of those biologically “twin” work –
both performers look at each other intensely with their ears…other works such as
Rohrlinge (baritone saxophone and bass clarinet), Flotlinge (flute and recorder) or
Streichlinge (cello, bass viol) also similar procedures. The work is more effective
with the players spatially placed for an authentic stereo effect. The soprano saxo-
phone is preferable to any other because of its specific sound.

88
Umble, 275.
89
Serge Bertocchi (personal communication through e-mail, January 26, 2015)  
90
XASAX is the name of Serge Bertocchi’s saxophone quartet, which includes Jean-Michel Goury, Marcus Weiss
and Pierre-Stéphane Meugé.

117
 Rossé employs sixteenth-note triplets and different groupings of thirty-second notes as

the primary rhythmic figures and shares them in both parts. One of the harmonic buildings

blocks of this piece is the interval of the perfect fifth; however, the most appealing sound of this

piece is the interval of a minor second. Rossé manipulates this dissonant interval in three meth-

ods. The first method incorporates the minor second within the melodic line. The second method

is the creation of vertical sonorities constructed from the minor second, usually found in the long

notes between the two parts. In this approach, Rossé adds ascending and descending glissandos

with crescendos in both parts to increase an unstable and unpredictable sound quality as a way to

punctuate the minor second. Furthermore, he also indicates tg.st91 at the end of these glissando

notes to create an abrupt stop effect in music (see Example 58).

Example 58: Rossé, Ximix, First System

In the third method of manipulating the minor second interval, Rossé does not write the in-

terval directly but rather maintains the dissonant sound by displacing its notes of this interval. In

other words, he reorders notes in one part so that the minor second intervals are shared between

the two voices through voice exchange (see Example 59).

91
François Rossé, Ximix. Fuzeau, 1997: tg.st., abbreviation for tongue stop.  

118
Example 59: Rossé, Ximix, Second System

The design of this final method creates the aural impression that the harmony created be-

tween two parts are perfect fifths, causing a more consonant and harmonically stable sound;

however, since these notes are executed quickly, the reverberation of these sounds sustains the

melodic tension and dissonance of the minor second interval.

The length of Ximix is less than three minutes, however, there are many challenging as-

pects found in this work. Since there are neither time signatures nor measure lines, the identical

rhythmic figures between the two parts require utmost accuracy of tempo control, rhythm, phras-

ing and articulation. Regarding the extended techniques, performers are required to perform the

glissandos smoothly and effectively by mastering the control of both their fingering, embou-

chure, and air.

In the climax, before the ending (found in the eleventh system), Rossé writes two unusual

notations. One is sons voiles. While Rossé does not provide instruction regarding this marking,

Bertocchi suggests it could be “blurred sounds,” not precisely pitched, but entirely created by

air.92 The other notation Rossé writes is one that indicates that two notes for each part are to be

sounded at the same time. While this resembles the multiphonic indication, he includes (instr +

voix) next to these notes. Rossé provides an additional explanation for this musical symbol: glis-

sé vocal lent en sens contraire du glissé instrument (le depart vocal étant place dans un rapport

92
Serge Bertocchi (personal communication through e-mail, January 27, 2015)

119
d’8ave le rapport à l’instrument) which translates, “This is a slow vocal slide in the opposite di-

rection of the instrumental glissando (i.e., the voice part is to sound an octave lower than the in-

strument part).” In an email communication with the author, Bertocchi suggests pitch perfection

in the voice is not necessary; it is mainly an effect combining one’s voice with the instrument

sound.93 Since Rossé requests that the performers should look at each other during the perfor-

mance, performing this piece from memory is highly recommended.

Example 60: Rossé, Ximix, Eleventh System

93
Ibid.  

120
 Stockhausen, Karlheinz, Knabenduett

Title: Knabenduett (1980)

Composer: Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Tempo sehr flexible (very flexible tempo)

Type of saxophones: two soprano saxophones

Duration: c. 4 minutes

Range: Soprano saxophone 1: A#1 – Gb3 (Sounding Pitch G#3 – E5)

Soprano saxophone 2: Bb1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch Ab3 – Eb5)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Simon Stockhausen

Availability: Stockhausen Verlag

Available recording:

1. Serge Bertocchi and Jean-Michel Goury. En Toute Amitie. Erol Records

EROC 7013, 1991
2. Michael Duke. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012
3. Hugo Read and Simon Stockhausen. Stockhausen-Donnerstag Aus Licht.
Deutsche Grammophon 2740272, 1983

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Amour, for solo soprano saxophone, StV

Aus den 7 Tagen nº 26, for narrator and improvised saxophone, Uni

121
 Edentia (from Klang), for soprano saxophone and electronics, StV

Entführung – Abduction, for soprano saxophone and tape, StV

Europa-Gruss – Europe Greeting No.72, for one or more saxophones, StV

Expo für drei, No. 31, for three players or singers and short wave receivers, StV

In Freundschaft, for solo saxophone, StV

Linker Augentanz, for six saxophones and percussion or for saxophone ensemble and

synthesizer, StV

Linker Augentanz, 3 extraits no.53, for alto saxophone, percussion and synthesizer, StV

Luzifers Tanz, No. 53, for seven saxophones, StV

Piccolo No. 47-1, for soprano saxophone and Geisha bell, StV

Plus Minus, for solo saxophone, Uni

Pole für zerim No. 30, for two players or singers and short wave receivers, StV

Saxophone (from Course of the Years), No. 47, for soprano saxophone and bongo, StV

The seven songs of the days (of Monday from Light), saxophone and chordal instrument,

StV

Solo nº 19, for saxophone, Uni

Spiral nº 27, for saxophone and short wave receivers

Tierkreiss – Zodiaque, for saxophone and piano, StV

Xi (from Montags-Gruss), for saxophone, StV

Ypsilon 2 extraits no. 59, for saxophone, StV

Comments:

Karlheinz Stockhausen was considered one of the most influential composers of the

twentieth century. He is well-known for his innovated works in electronic music, serialism, alea-

122
toric music, moment composition and other experimental music. He was born in Mödrath near

Cologne, German, in 1928. He studied piano and music education at the State Conservatory of

Music in Cologne and later studied philosophy and musicology at the University of Cologne. He

also studied with Olivier Messiaen in Paris. Between 1965-67, he was the guest professor of

composition at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California. In 1971, he be-

came the professor at the State Conservatory of Music in Cologne. In 1998, he founded and di-

rected the annual Stockhausen Courses Kürten. He died in Kürten in 2007.94

Karlheinz Stockhausen’s Knabenduett (Boy’s Duet) for two soprano saxophones is music

inspired by the first scene of act three, Michael’s Home-Coming of his opera Thursday from

Light. It was dedicated to Stockhausen’s twelve-year old son Simon. The premiere of this opera

occurred in La Scala, Milan, on April 1981. Stockhausen describes the details regarding the

premiere performance:

In the performances at La Scala, they (German saxophonists Hugo Read and Si-
mon Stockhausen) ascended (dressed in long white costumes) out of the stage
floor at the centre right and left, slightly to the rear of the stage, and descended in-
to the floor again at the end of the duet.95

Elizabeth Bunt’s dissertation, The Saxophone Works of Karlheinz Stockhausen provides a

detailed analysis of the complex construction of Knabenduett. Bunt explains how Stockhausen

uses particular intervals to represent different roles in the opera.96 Although the impression of

this composition may be similar to a through-composed piece, Stockhausen’s writing is logical

and well-organized with regard to form, section and phrase. Bunt discovers that Stockhausen

composes in nine-measure phrases throughout the entire piece. She subdivides the piece into two

94
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Biography,” Stockhausen-Verlag, Stockhausen.org http://stockhausen.org (accessed
April 14, 2015)
95
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Preface. Knabenduett. Stockhausen Verlag, 1980.
96
Bunt, 78.

123
parts: part one includes measure 1-94; and, part two includes measure 95-142.97 The first part of

Knabenduett contains three sections: mm.1-30, 31-60 and 61-90. With the exception of the first

measure, each section begins with a three-measure phrase of continuous sixteenth notes98 (see

Examples 61a, b and c). The harmonic design that Stockhausen composes is logical and clear. He

writes with the three-note cell in these three-measure phrases and employs two primary pitch or-

ganizations as demonstrated in the following examples. One cell creates a [0, 1, 4] set and the

other, a [0, 1, 5] set.

Figure 4: Pitch organization

In Example 61a, Stockhausen seperates the cells by voices. He uses the [0, 1, 4] cell on

the top voice and the [0, 1, 5] cell on the bottom. In Example 61b, he reverses the order in a qua-

si-minimalist phrase. In Example 61c, Stockhausen combines the two cells between the two

voices.

Example 61a: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm.1-5

Copyright © 1981 Stockhausen-Stiftung für Musik, Kürten, Germany, Used with permission.

97
Ibid., 80.  
98
Ibid., 80.  

124
Example 61b: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm. 31-35

Example 61b: Copyright © 1981 Stockhausen-Stiftung für Musik, Kürten, Germany, Used with permission.

Example 61c: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, mm. 61-65

Copyright © 1981 Stockhausen-Stiftung für Musik, Kürten, Germany, Used with permission.

In the second part, beginning in measure 96, there are five phrases. Each phrase contains

nine-measures and each one ends with a three-measure trill in each part, separated by an enhar-

monic perfect fourth.99 The following example illustrates Stockhausen’s application of the pitch

organization. Another melodic technique that composer employs is voice exchange. In Example

62, Stockhausen elongates the phrases by exchanging the notes between the two voices.

99
Ibid., 83.

125
Example 62: Stockhausen, Knabenduett, Phrase 1, mm. 96-104

Copyright © 1981 Stockhausen-Stiftung für Musik, Kürten, Germany, Used with permission.

In this duet, Stockhausen did not apply any extended techniques or altissimo notes. The

technical difficulty lies in the execution of the angular melody and the complex rhythms. Since

this music was originally conceived as part of an intense opera, dramatic, dynamic contrasts as

well as aggressive energy are clearly necessary for a successful performance. According to

Stockhausen, in order to reach the desired dramatic effect on stage, this composition should be

performed from memory. Simple, stylized costumes (the composer suggests to dress in white)

are encouraged to wear costumes for a quasi-concert performance.100

This short, four-minute atonal composition is filled with harmonic tension and dissonant

sounds. The rich overtones and colorful sonority created by the two soprano saxophones demon-

strates new possibilities for this genre and provides a fresh inspiration to other composers in suc-

ceeding generations.

100
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Preface of the score. Knabenduett. Stockhausen Verlag, 1980.

126
 Tull, Fisher, Dialogue

Title: Dialogue (1987)

Composer: Fisher Tull (1934-1994)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Slowly with freedom - Playfully

Type of saxophones: alto and tenor saxophone

Duration: c. 4 minutes 30 seconds

Range: Alto saxophone: C1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch Eb3 – Ab5)

Tenor saxophone: B1 – F3 (Sounding Pitch A3 – Eb5)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Sigurd Raschèr

Availability: Southern Music Company

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Colloquy, for alto saxophone and percussion, B&H

Concerto da camera, for alto saxophone and brass quintet, South

Sarabande and Gigue, for alto saxophone and piano, B&H

Threnody, for solo alto saxophone, B&H

127
Comments:

American composer, Fisher Aubrey Tull, Jr. was born in Waco, Texas in 1934. He stud-

ied music education at the University of North Texas (North Texas State College at the time). He

subsequently earned the degrees of Master of Music in music theory and trumpet performance

(1957), and the Doctor of Philosophy in music composition (1965). His principal composition

teacher was Samuel Adler. While at the University of North Texas, he regularly performed with

and arranged for the renowned UNT Jazz Lab Bands. In 1957, Tull joined the music faculty at

the Sam Houston State University and later, became the chairman of the department of music.

He received numerous awards including the American Bandmasters Association Ostwald Award

(1970), Texas Composer of the Year (1991), and Distinguished Alumnus of UNT College of

Music (1993). Fisher Tull composed more than eighty works, including works for orchestra,

band, chorus and chamber music.101

Like Erland von Koch’s Birthday Music for Sigurd Raschèr described earlier, this piece

was composed at the request of saxophonists Lawrence Gwozdz and Harry Kinross White in

honor of the eightieth birthday of Sigurd Raschèr. These artists premiered the work as a surprise

and informal concert at Raschèr’s home in New York the morning of his birthday on May 15,

1987.102 This piece displays a strong influence of Renaissance music. The use of complete triads

and imitative textures between the pairing of voices are some obvious characteristics of the Fran-

co-Flemish style. Dialogue contains two movements: the slow introduction (Quarter note = c.

66) and “playfully” section (Quarter note = 92). According to saxophonist Harry White, the orig-

101
“Fisher Tull,” accessed April 15, 2015, website: http://www.fishertull.com.
102
Program notes to Fisher Tull, Dialogue. Southern Music Company, 1989.

128
inal manuscript indicates dotted quarter note = 92. There is an error in the published edition to-

day.103

In the beginning of the piece, the theme is performed by the solo tenor saxophone. The

alto saxophone joins the other saxophonist in the fourth measure and performs with the same

melody, a perfect fourth higher than the original voice (see Example 63).

Example 63: Tull, Dialogue, mm. 1-7

Copyright ©1987 by Southern-Keiser Music. Used with permission.

The second movement is a rondo (A-B-A-C-B-A). In the beginning, the tenor saxophone

repeats a two-measure motive creating an ostinato that occurs for sixteen measures. During this

time, the alto saxophone performs a lively, thematic melody.

103
Harry White (personal communication through e-mail, February, 5 2015)  

129
Example 64: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 1-8

Copyright ©1987 by Southern-Keiser Music. Used with permission.

The B section of the Rondo is a canon at the interval of two measures and a major third

with a melodic line characterized by rapid rhythmic syncopation and imitation between the two

voices. Example 65 demonstrates the soprano saxophone begins with short staccato notes and

develops the pointillistic passage into a short, scalar figure. The tenor saxophone repeats the

same melodic line a major third below the top voice and two measures later.

Example 65: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 19-24

Copyright ©1987 by Southern-Keiser Music. Used with permission.

130
 Following the canonic B section, the two-measure ostinato appears once again, but this

time it is in the upper voice while the tenor saxophone performs the melodic, first theme. The C

section of Tull’s rondo could be considered transitional with a meter change to 3/4 time. Sax-

ophonist Harry White indicates that the tempo at this point could be quarter note = 138; however,

he also suggests that the performers should attempt to achieve a “playful” and “relaxed” charac-

ter throughout this section. A slightly relaxed tempo is acceptable in this section.104 The meter

returns to 6/8 time with the reappearance of theme of B section. In the end of the duet, the open-

ing motive recurs in the bottom voice while the soprano saxophone contains the original melody

in whole step lower than beginning. In this instance, the melody is a variation with ornamenta-

tion (see Example 66).

Example 66: Tull, Dialogue, Mvt. II, mm. 81-90

Copyright ©1987 by Southern-Keiser Music. Used with permission.

This short piece is simple and accessible for a wide variety of saxophonists of varying

skills. Both alto and tenor saxophone parts contains lyrical and rhythmic figures. In the second

104
Harry White (personal communication through e-mail, February, 5 2015)

131
movement, challenging aspects can be found in rapid articulation, rhythmic accuracy, tempo

change and fast passages of sixteenth notes.

132
 CHAPTER V

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED COMPOSITIONS FOR SAXOPHONE

DUTES: REPERTOIRE FOR PEDAGOGY

Bumcke, Gustav, 38 Duette, op.43

Title: 38 Duette, op.43 (1927)

Composer: Gustav Bumcke (1876-1963)

Movement title / Tempo markings: None

Type of saxophones: two E-flat or B-flat saxophones

Range: (Only Bumcke’s original compositions)

Saxophone 1: E1 – C3

Saxophone 2: B1 – D2

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: None

Availability: Boosey & Hawkes

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Concert-Waltz, for alto saxophone and piano, VAB

Concertino, op.95, for alto saxophone and chamber orchestra, RE

36 Einfache Etüden, op. 43, VAB

36 Leichte original Etüden, op. 43, VAB

133
2 Fantasies, op. 50, No.2 & 3, for saxophone ensemble, RE

24 Jazz Etüden, op. 43, VAB

Konzert in F min., op. 57, for alto saxophone and orchestra, RE

2 Konzertqalzer, op. 48, for alto saxophone and piano, VAB

Morceaux instructifs choisis, for alto saxophone and piano, VAB

Notturno, op.45, for alto saxophone and harp, RE

3 Pièce, op. 49, for saxophone quartet (AATB), Fro

Quartett, op. 49, for four saxophones, Fro

2 Quartette, op. 23, for saxophone quartet, E&R

2 Quartette, op.23, no.1 & 2, for four saxophones, RE

3 Quartette, op. 45, for four saxophones, RE

Romanze B-dur, op. 44-1, for baritone saxophone and piano, RE

Romanze Ges-Dur, op. 44-2, for alto or baritone saxophone and piano, RE

Saxophon Schule (mit Griffabelle), method for all kinds of saxophones VAB

Scherzo op.67, for alto saxophone and orchestra, RE

Sextet, op. 19, for saxophone, clarinet, English horn, wald horn, bass clarinet and bas-

soon, RE

Sextuor, op.20, for two alto saxophones, English horn, horn, bass clarinet and bassoon,

VAB

Sonate in B-Moll, op. 68, for alto saxophone and piano, RE

Suite G Dur “Von Liebe und Tod” Tondichtung, op. 24, for baritone saxophone, wood-

wind quintet and harp, VAB

Tägliche, technische Übungen, op. 43, for all kinds of saxophones, VAB

134
 Tonleiter Studien, op. 70, for all kinds of saxophones, VAB

Comments:

Gustav Bumcke was a German composer, saxophonist and pedagogue. He is considered

one of the earliest and most important saxophonists in Germany.105 Bumcke was born in Berlin

in 1876 where he studied composition with Gustav Kulenkampff, Max Bruch and Engelbert

Humperdinck and piano with Hugo Rüdel and Otto Neitzel. Between 1900-1902, he was a thea-

ter conductor in Konstanz and Heilbronn. In 1902, he visited Paris to study with the Adolphe-

Edouard Sax, son of Adolphe Sax, and Victor Thiels, the saxophonist of the Paris Opera.106 Be-

fore his return to Berlin, he bought eight saxophones in a variety of sizes and formed the first

saxophone class at Stern’schen Konservatorium (Stern Conservatory) in Berlin in 1903. In the

late 1920s, Bumcke established the first known saxophone ensemble in Germany. At the time,

the legendary saxophonist Sigurd Raschèr was Bumcke’s student and Raschèr performed in his

saxophone quartet and saxophone ensemble.107 Unfortunately, when the Nazis came to power,

they destroyed many institutions and banned the saxophone, declaring it a “decadent” instru-

ment; Bumcke was forced to leave his position at the Conservatory. After the War, he returned to

teach music theory at the German Academy of Music in East Berlin until 1955. Gustav Bumcke

died in Berlin in 1963.108

Since Bumcke was a composer and a strong advocate of the saxophone, he composed

many works for solo saxophone, saxophone and piano, saxophone quartet and large saxophone

ensemble. Moreover, he wrote several chamber works for saxophone. His Notturno op.45 for

105
Daniel Michael Bell, “The Saxophone in Germany 1924-1935” (D.M.A. diss., University of Arizona, 2004), 22.
106
Ibid., 22.
107
Andrew Justin Allen, “The Symphonious Saxophone: A History of the Large Saxophone Ensemble With A
Quantitative Analysis of Its Original Literature” (D.M.A. diss., University of South Carolina, 2013), 3.
108
Ibid., 39.  

135
baritone saxophone and harp (c.1927-29) is considered the first composition for the saxophone-

harp duet genre.109 As a pioneer of saxophone pedagogy, Bumcke wrote many method books and

etudes for the saxophone. His Saxophone Schule (1926) was one of the earliest method books in

German. This contains detailed information about saxophone performance practices such as

trills, vibrato, the jazz style, and even a rare description about the “High or Top Notes” (altissimo

register) of the saxophone.110 Between 1927 and 1929, Bumcke wrote a series of saxophone

studies, entitled Saxophone-Etüden, Opus 43. It contains five volumes: Vol.1: 36 Easy Original

Etudes for Beginner; Vol.2: 36 Easy Etudes; Vol.3: 24 Jazz-Studies for 1 and 2 Saxophones;

Vol.4: 38 Duets for 2 Saxophone and Vol.5 Daily Technical Exercises.111

As the title of the book suggests, this collection of etudes contains thirty-eight duets for

two saxophones. The majority of the music found within this etude book is transcriptions, includ-

ing W.A. Mozart’s Duets for two Basset-Horns, A. Seltner’s Duets for cornet-a-pistons, T.

Berbinguier’s Duets for flutes as well as duets for violins. Bumcke composed only three original

duets, all found in this collection: No. 1, 2 and 19. According to Bumcke’s forward in the score,

these duets are designed to teach “Reading at Sight.” They are easy and suitable for beginners.

The key signatures of these etudes are usually limited, they are usually in the keys of C, F, G, Bb

and D.112 Bumcke attempts to make both parts of his original duets of equal difficulty. This way,

both the teacher and pupil can take turns playing the top and bottom lines. The range of these

etudes is limited to the middle register of the saxophone with occasional notes found in the ex-

treme registers. This design is perfect for the young saxophonist. The intention of Bumcke’s

109
Idit Shner, “Music for Saxophone and Harp: An Investigation of the Development of the Genre With An Anno-
tated Bibliography” (D.M.A. diss., University of North Texas, 2007), 24
110
Gustav Bumcke, Saxophone Schule (Leipzig, Germany: Anton J. Benjamin, 1926), 132.
111
Bell, 101.
112
A few exceptions are Etude No.15 in A major, No.29 in Eb major, No.31 and 35 in E major.  

136
original etudes is clear. For example, No.19 entitled Ostinato provides appropriate study material

for students. While the bottom line maintains a four-measure repeated pattern in the low register,

the top line contains lyrical phrases allowing a student to develop tone, vibrato, and intonation.

Furthermore, students could learn how to maintain legato phrases and supporting the melody

with stable time-keeping.

Example 67: Bumcke, 38 Duette, op.43, no.19. Ostinato, mm. 1-8

Copyright © 1929 Anton J. Benjamin GMBH, Used with permission.

137
 Klosé, Hyacinthe, 10 Duets

Title: 6 melodious studies and 4 easy duets in concert (from Méthode compléte des Saxophones)
(1877)

Composer: Hyacinthe Éléonore Klosé (1808-1880)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Six melodious studies: No.1 Moderato
No.2 Allegro non troppo
No.3 Andantino
No.4 All Moderato
No.5 Andante
No.6 Moderato

Four easy duets, in Concert: No.1 Moderato non troppo

No.2 Adagio
No.3 Andantino
No.4 Andantino sostenuto

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Range: Saxophone 1: B1 – F3

Saxophone 2: B1 – C3

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: None

Availability: Alphonse Leduc

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Daniel d’après E. Depas – Fantaisie chromatique, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Le désir d’après Schubert – Fantaisie, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Duettino concertante, for clarinet, alto saxophone and piano, Led

138
 15 Études chantantes, for all kinds of saxophones, Led

Etudes de genre et de mécanisme (P.R Jeanjean), for all kinds of saxophones, Led

Exercices journaliers pour le saxophone, for all kinds of saxophones, Led

25 Daily Exercises, for all kinds of saxophones, CF

Études de mécanisme, for all kinds of saxophones, Led

Exercices journaliers pour le saxophone, for all kinds of saxophones, Led

Semiramis – Fantaisie, for alto saxophone and piano, Led

Solo, for solo saxophone, Led

La Sommambule, for clarinet, alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Comments:

Hyacinthe Éléonore Klosé was one of the most influential clarinet soloists, composers

and pedagogues in the nineteenth century. With the Buffet-Crampon company, Klosé designed

the Boehm clarinet, a significant improvement in the design of the previous version. His publica-

tions for both clarinet and saxophone have been some of the most popular method books for

more than a century. He was the clarinet professor at the Paris Conservatory from 1838 to 1868.

Klosé also took an interest in saxophone performance, composition and pedagogy. One of his

most famous saxophone students is the early saxophone virtuoso Louis Mayeur (1837-1894).113

Klosé wrote two original solos and dedicated them to Adolphe Sax in 1858 and 1859. He also

wrote chamber pieces, some transcriptions and method books for the saxophone.114

Klosé’s Méthode compléte des Saxophones was written in 1877 and was later revised by

Eugène Gay in 1950. Eugène Gay was the clarinet professor at the Conservatory of Lyon. Gay

113
Harry R. Gee, Saxophone Soloists and Their Music, 1844-1985: An Annotated Bibliography (Bloomington: Indi-
ana Unviersity Press, 1986), 209.
114
Ibid., 6.

139
added clear articulations, breath marks and other performance suggestions into Klosé’s book.115

Méthode compléte des Saxophones contains two parts: the first part is the introduction to saxo-

phone playing, including tone production, scales, intervals, various exercises, some original

compositions and transcriptions; the second part contains more advanced study of scales, chord

exercises, arpeggios and larger intervals in full ranges, along with more fingering exercises. This

section also contains ten duets for two saxophones.

Although these ten duets can be found in this method book, only four of them, entitled

Four Easy Duets, In Concert, contain music of equal importance and difficulty for both saxo-

phones. The remaining six duets, under the title of Six Melodious Studies, are melodic studies for

one saxophone, with the accompaniment of a second saxophone. In these six duets, there are no

melodic or thematic materials appearing in the second saxophone part. The following example

demonstrates the bottom voice functioning as harmonic and rhythmic support while the top part

contains the melodic and rhythmic interest as well as difficulty.

Example 68: Klosé, Six Melodious Studies, no.4, mm. 1-8

115
Introduction, Méthode compléte des Saxophones, Leduc, 1877, p.2.

140
 Compared with the Six Melodious Studies, the collection of Four Easy Duets, In Concert

for two saxophones contains duets that are generally longer and requires advanced technique in

both parts. The tempo for these four duets is not fast, with the exception of duet no.1, marked

Moderato non troppo. The remaining three duets are indicated to be performed either Adagio or

Andantino. The group of fast, thirty-second notes combined with rhythmic complexity may

cause inexperienced students difficulty (see Example 69), but through the employment of alter-

nate fingerings, such as using LSK2 (left-side key) as an alternate fingering for the note D2, the

passage becomes approachable.

Example 69: Klosé, Four Easy Duets, In Concert No.2, mm. 34-39

141
 Koechlin, Charles, 24 Duos, op. 186

Title: 24 Duos, op. 186 (1942)

Composer: Charles Koechlin (1867-1950)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Volume I
No.1 No.2 No.3 (Andante sostenuto)
No.4 (Allant) No.5 (Andantino) No.6 (Allegro moderato)
No.7 No.8 (Allegretto) No.9 (Andante, presque adagio)
No.10 (Allegro moderato) No.11 (Tranquillo) No.12 (Andante con moto)

Volume II
No.13 (Allegretto con moto) No.14 (Allegretto)
No.15 (Andante con moto) No.16 (Allegretto con moto)
No.17 (Andante espressivo) No.18 (Presque adagio)
No.19 (Moderato tranquillo) No.20 (Moderato)
No.21 (Andante: pas trop lent) No.22 (Dolce: très clair)
No.23 (Andante molto tranquillo) No.24 (Allegretto moderato: ben legato espressivo)

Type of saxophones: soprano and alto saxophone

Duration: 37 minutes

Range: Soprano saxophone 1: C1 – Db3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – B5)

Alto saxophone 2: D1 – Eb3 (Sounding Pitch F3 – F#5)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: None

Availability: Editions Billaudot

Available recording: David Brutti. Koechlin, Complete Music For Saxophone. Brilliant Classics

9266, 2012

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

142
 Epitaphe de Jean Harlow, op. 164, for alto saxophone, flute and piano, ME

15 Etudes, op. 188, for alto saxophone and piano, Bil

Grande fugue, op. 165, no. 7, for alto saxophone, English horn and woodwind quintet,

Sch

Monodie, op. 213, for solo alto saxophone, Bil

7 Pièces, op. 180, for saxophone and piano, Bil

Le repos de Tityre, op. 216, for solo soprano saxophone, ME

Septuor d’instruments à vent, op. 165, for alto saxophone, English horn and woodwind

quintet, Oil

Sonatine n°1, op. 194a, for soprano saxophone and chamber orchestra or piano, ME

Sonatine n°2, op. 194b, for soprano saxophone and chamber orchestra or piano, ME

Comments:

French composer Charles Louis Eugène Koechlin was born in Paris in 1867. He studied

with Charles Lefebvre before entering the Paris Conservatory and studied with Antoine Taudou,

Jules Massenet, André Gedalge, Louis Bourgault Ducoudray and Gabriel Fauré. Koechlin was a

freelance composer, teacher, scholar and critic. He made four trips to the United States and gave

many lectures in order to promote contemporary French music.116 In 1929, he visited and taught

at the University of California, Berkeley. In the same year, his symphonic poem La Joie Païenne

(Op.46, no.5) won the Hollywood Bowl Prize for composition. Koechlin was awarded many oth-

er prizes such as the Prix Primont (1935), Prix Lasserre (1935), Prix Cressent (1936), Prix Hal-

phan (1937), Prix Laguerre (1942), Prix Chabrier (1946), and Grand Prix de la Musique Fran-

116
Keith Ray Young, The Solo and Chamber Saxophone Music of Charles Koechlin (1967-1950). D.M.A. diss.,
University of Maryland College Park, 1991, 6.

143
çaise by SACEM (1949).117 Koechlin was a prolific composer who wrote many orchestral works

and chamber music with different instrumental combinations as well as sonatas. Many of his

chamber music works were composed for piano and woodwinds. He wrote for film scores, out-

door music, and works for wind band. Koechlin was fascinated with the early film stars and ded-

icated several of his works to movie actors and actresses.118 His beautiful chamber piece Épi-

taphe de Jean Harlow, op. 164 for alto saxophone, flute and piano is one such work.

Koechlin was considered one of the foremost French theorists of the twentieth century.

Many of his pedagogical publications, such as the vast treatises on harmony and orchestration,

are significant to academic study.119 Although Koechlin was a seemingly important composer,

scholar and pedagogue, he was never given a full-time position in any conservatory. One reason

could have been his outspoken defiance of many academic procedures.120 He was an active com-

poser throughout his life and completed more than ten pieces in the last two years of his life.121

Koechlin died at his mediterranean home at Le Canadel on New Year’s Eve, December 31,

1950.122

Koechlin incorporates the saxophone extensively in his orchestral and chamber works.

He was associated with many composers of the saxophone such as Florent Schmitt, Gabriel

Pierné, Daruis Milhaud, and Jacques Ibert.123 While Koechlin was never successful in his at-

tempts to gain a permanent position at a university, he was often invited as an external examiner

for many schools of music such as conservatories in Paris, Brussels, Rheims and Marseiles.

117
Robert Orledge, Contemporary Music Studies series v.1, Charles Koechlin (1867-1950): His Life and Works
(Chur: Harwood Academic, 1989), 16.
118
Young, 7.
119
Orledge, 36.
120
Young, 6.
121
Ibid, 325-416.
122
Ibid, 16.
123
Young, 22-23.

144
Many of his pedagogical compositions for saxophone were inspired by these external examina-

tion experiences. The 24 Duos, Op. 186 is one such example. It was written for saxophone teach-

ers and students with whom he was associated at these schools.124

24 Duos, Op. 186 was originally written as twenty four lessons of solfège for both voice

and instruments. In the original manuscript, Koechlin specifically indicated that this piece could

be performed by soprano and contralto without accompaniment or by soprano saxophone and

alto saxophone. This composition was composed in 1942, the same year Marcel Mule was ap-

pointed professor of saxohone at the Paris Conservatory, a position first held by the instrument’s

inventor, Adolphe Sax.125 Although Koechlin never wrote a piece for Marcel Mule, and there is

no recorded correspondence between them, Koechlin’s son Yves Koechlin acknowledged that

his father “knew very well Marcel Mule and he was certainly influenced by him.”126

The modern edition at the 24 Duos by Gérard Billaudot contains the transposed music

with three different instrumental combinations: two Eb saxophones, two Bb saxophones and the

original one Eb and one Bb saxophone.127 With regard to the range of the saxophone, Koechlin

composed music for the saxophone in the regular register of the saxophone. In the version of the

duet for two alto saxophones, there are a few altissimo notes; however, those notes could be per-

formed in the optional lower octave as indicated by the composer.

Koechlin’s compositions provide clear examples of various compositional techniques

such as canonic procedures. He composes different types of canons in many of these duets such

as a strict canon (No. 3), an inversion canon (No.12, 23), a canon in octave (No.18, 19), canon at

the fourth (No.2, No. 22), canon at the fifth (No.5, 6, 20, 21) and canon at the ninth (No.24).

124
Ibid., 24-25.  
125
Rousseau, 3.
126
Young, 22.
127
Georges Gourdet, Preface. 24 Duos Pour Deux Saxophones, Opus 186, Editions Billaudot, 1942.  

145
Each etude is listed in the figure below with its corresponding tonality. Different meters and

tempo indications in each duet provide pedagogically — appropriate exercises for sight-reading

and rhythmic training. Below is the list of key (concert pitch), tempo and meter for each duet

from the two volumes:

Figure 5: Koechlin etudes per volume

Volume I

Title Key (Concert Pitch) Tempo Indication Meters

No.1 G minor None 12/8

No.2 E flat major None 6/8

No.3 F minor Andante sostenuto 4/4

No.4 A flat major Allant 3/2

No.5 F# minor Andantino 3/4

3/4
No.6 A major Allegro moderato
4/4
No.7 A minor None
4/4
No.8 E major Allegretto
None
No.9 Eb minor Andante, presque adagio
Allegro moderato 4/4
No.10 D major
6/8
No.11 F major Tranquillo (sans trainer)
Andante con moto 4/4
No.12 D minor

Volume II

6/8
No.13 G major Allegretto con moto
Allegretto 4/4
No.14 Gb major

146
 B major Andante con moto 2/2
No.15
Allegretto con moto 4/4
No.16 Bb major
Andante espressivo 3/4
No.17 B minor
Presque adagio 4/4
No.18 Ab minor
Moderato tranquillo 3/2
No.19 C minor
Moderato 4/4
No.20 E minor
Andante: pas trop lent 3/4
No.21 Bb minor
Dolce: très clair 3/2
No.22 Db minor
Andante molto tranquillo 3/4
No.23 Db minor
Allegretto moderato: ben lega- 3/4
No.24 C major
to espressivo

The difficulty level of these duets is appropriate for an intermediate student or perhaps a

college freshman. Each duet provides different pedagogical challenges. In Duo No.1, Koechlin

writes complex rhythmic figures in the meter of 12/8. Specifically, Koechlin writes quartuplets

in a compound meter, creating challenges in subdivision for students learning to count accurately

(see Example 70).

147
Example 70: Koechlin, 24 Duos, op. 186, No.1, mm. 7-9128

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

In Duo No.9, Koechlin provides neither a meter signature nor measure lines (see Exam-

ple 71). The slow, melodic motion and syncopation created between the two parts requires a sta-

ble pulse regardless of the melodic phrasing and lack of measures. The suspensions with their

resolutions provide ample opportunity for students to improve their skills of intonation as each

resolution creates a major third, minor third or unison.

Example 71: Koechlin, 24 Duos, op. 186, No.9, Third system129

Copyright ©1984 by Gérard Billaudot Editeur SA, Paris

128
Version of two E-flat saxophones
129
Version of two B-flat saxophones

148
 Lauba, Christian, Six Duos

Title: Six Duos (1995)

Composer: Christian Lauba (b. 1952)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

I. Pas sur le sel

II. El Djem
III. Al Khebir
IV. Sfax
V. Nour
VI. Gabès

Type of saxophones: two saxophones in the same key

Duration: c. 10 minutes

Range: Saxophone 1: F1 – E3

Saxophone 2: B1 – C3

Required extended techniques:

Dedication: Philippe Geiss

Availability: Edition Robert Martin

Available recording: None Available

Comments:

Christian Lauba’s Six Duos were written in 1995. According to Jean-Marie Londeix’s

book, Guide to the Saxophone Repertoire 1844-2012, this piece was written for Jean-Pierre

Caens; however, it is clearly marked above the title on the score as “Pour Philippe Geiss.”

In the foreword of the score, Lauba writes:

149
 Les titres évocateurs de ces petits duos pour saxophones sont des indications
poétiques qui aideront les interprètes à retrouver les parfums, les couleurs, les
timbres et les rythmes caractéristiques de l’Afrique du nord don't le compositeur
s’est inspire. La nonchalance du temps permet de mieux preparer les quelques dif-
ficulties qui émaillent ces pieces délibérément très courtes. Le saxophone se prête
magnifiquement aux nouveaux paramètres du son: bisbigliando, vibrato ¼ de ton,
sons multiples, bruits de clefs etc, dans le but d’inventer un langage qui corre-
spond réellement à sa personnalité.

The evocative titles of these little saxophone duets are poetic indications to
aid the interpreters to find the fragrances, colors, timbres and rhythms characteris-
tic of North Africa, which have inspired the composer. The freedom of time al-
lows for the best preparation for the few difficulties which coat these deliberately
short pieces. The saxophone lends itself beautifully to the new parameters of
sound: bisbigliando, quarter tone vibrato, multiphonics, key noise etc., in order to
invent a language which corresponds to its personality.130

Although Lauba did not specifically compose the Six Duos for pedagogical purposes, the-

se individual pieces serve as appropriate study material, introducing atonal music and extended

saxophone techniques to intermediate and advanced students. Two features of these duets are

beneficial for study: one is the length — each movement is less than two minutes; secondly, the

tempo of each of the six movements is moderately slow — the range of tempo is quarter note

equals 52-72.

In each piece, Lauba attempts to provide a different challenge to the performers. In the

beginning of the first duo, Pas sur le sel (Steps on the Sand,) the pedagogical purpose is the

study of sudden and extreme dynamic changes. Given that each note receives its own dynamic

marking in a homorhythmic setting, albeit complex, allows the students to master the quick dy-

namic changes.

130
The translation is provided by Alexander Richards.

150
Example 72: Lauba, Six Duos, No.1, Pas sur le sel, mm. 1-2

Copyright © 1995 Edition Robert Martin. Used with permission.

In both the second and fifth movements, the pedagogical purpose behind these duets is

the combination of the soft dynamic with the extended technique of multiphonics. In the duos

No.2, El Djem131 and No.5, Nour, the performers are required to create and maintain a smooth

legato connection between the regular note and the multiphonics (the fingerings are supplied by

the composer), especially while playing a soft dynamic (see Examples 73a and b).

Example 73a: Lauba, Six Duos No.2, El Djem, mm. 1-2

Copyright © 1995 Edition Robert Martin. Used with permission.

Example 73b: Lauba, Six Duos No.5, Nour, mm. 25-29

Copyright © 1995 Edition Robert Martin. Used with permission.

131
Most titles of this piece represent different cities of Tunisia, the birthplace of the composer.

151
 The pedagogical purpose of duos No.3 and No.4 is the manipulation of timbre through

the use of vibrato quartertone and bisbigliando. The duo No.3, Al Khebir, begins with an aggres-

sive attack and contains much stronger dynamic markings. In contrast, the following duo, No.4,

Sfax, contains only soft dynamic ranges from pianississimo to mezzo piano. In both movements,

Lauba uses two different approaches to alter the tone colors in these two movements: “vibrato

quartertone” (vib. ¼) and “bisbigliando” (bisbi). Vibrato quartertone is different than the normal

quartertone (mircrotone). Instead of using a specific fingering, the saxophonist employs an em-

bouchure manipulation in order to create a much slower and wider vibrato.

Regarding the bisbigliando, Londeix defines this technique as, “A natural technique for

the harp, the bisbigliando is a type of timbral trill: soft, subtle and rapid, bringing the sound alive

from within, without noticeably modifying the pitch.”132 Marcus Weiss confirms Londeix’s de-

tailed explanation as well as provides many timbral fingerings and different possible fingerings

for bisbligliando.133 In Lauba’s duet, the composer offers specific fingerings for the bisbliglian-

do.

Example 74: Lauba, Six Duos No.3, Al Khebir, Third system

Copyright © 1995 Edition Robert Martin. Used with permission.

132
Jean-Marie Londeix, Hello! Mr. Sax (Parameters of the Saxophone) (Paris: Editions Musicales Alphonse Leduc,
1989), 46.
133
Ibid., 41-60.

152
 In the last piece of this collection, Gabès, Lauba extensively applies the interval of a mi-

nor second to create harmonic tension between both parts (see Example 75). Throughout the en-

tire movement, the combination of the dissonant intervals, vibrato quartertone, soft dynamics and

soft multiphonics creates a mysterious and uncertain ending to the piece.

Example 75: Lauba, Six Duos No.6, Gabès, mm. 1-8

Copyright © 1995 Edition Robert Martin. Used with permission.

153
 Savari, Jérôme, Duo

Title: Duo (1861 published)

Composer: Jérôme Savari (1819-1870)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

Andante
Andante con moto
piu mosso, quasi Allegro
Allegretto
Tempo primo
piu mosso, quasi Allegro
Allegretto

Type of saxophones: soprano and alto saxophone or tenor and baritone saxophone

Duration: c. 5 minutes 40 seconds

Range: Soprano / Tenor saxophone: C1 – D3 (Sounding Pitch Bb3 – C5 / Bb2 – C4)

Alto / Baritone saxophone: C1 – D3 (Sounding Pitch Eb3 – F5 / Eb2 – F4)

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: Henri Berthoud

Availability: Chez Adolphe Sax / Musik Fabrik

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

Fantaisie sur des motifs du Freischütz de Weber, op.24, for alto saxophone and piano,

Sax

2me Fantaisie sur un theme original, for alto saxophone and piano, Sax

3me fantaisie sur un theme original, for soprano or tenor saxophone and piano, Sax

154
 Octuor, for eight saxophones, Sax

Quatuor en quatre parties, for saxophone quartet, Mol

Quintetto, for five saxophones, Sax

Septuor, for seven saxophones, Sax

Sextuor, for six saxophones, Sax

Trio en 3 parties, for soprano, alto and baritone saxophone, Sax

Comments:

Since Savari’s Duo for soprano and alto saxophone (the composer indicates that it could

be performed by tenor and baritone saxophone) is one of the earliest original compositions for

saxophone duet, the historical importance is obvious. With regard to the composer of this piece,

there is confusion between the name. some sources identify him as either “Jean-Nicolas Sava-

ri(y)” or “Jérôme Savari.” The French saxophonist Serge Bertocchi addresses confirming

sources:

Savari: indeed, all the pieces edited by Sax mentioned his name under this
spelling (without his first name), and specified that he was "Bandmaster of 34th
regiment of line," while all the modern editions presented him as "Jean-Nicolas
Savary." To increase the confusion, some catalogs mentioned him under both
spellings.134

Fortunately, Bertocchi discovered strong evidence to identify the composer for Adolphe

Sax’s publication is in fact Jérôme Savari, the soprano saxophonist, composer and band master

and not Jean-Nicolas Savari, the famous bassoon maker. Bertocchi’s research provides a detailed

biography of Jérôme Savari. The abstract of this biography is below:

Jérôme Savari was born in Paris, where his mother Marie-Louise was a needle-
woman, of unknown father, on July 24th, 1819. He was probably given serious

134
“Looking for Savari” Serge Bertocchi, accessed March 4, 2015,
http://saxophonemes.fr/eng.saxophonemes.fr/Looking_for_Savari.html.

155
 general and musical studies, since his academic level will be judged "Well over his
position" by his immediate superiors…He could not play our instrument during his
first commitment, because Sax settled down in the French capital only in 1842: he
was certainly a clarinetist previously, as most of the future pupils of Sax. He thus
got acquainted with the soprano saxophone between this date and 1856 (his ap-
pointment as bandmaster), probably with the very inventor, of whom he seems to
be a close friend: he will be one of the first composers to be published by the Sax
editions, from 1861, and several of his pieces are dedicated to Sax's close relations
(Singelée and Kastner, among others). This explains his musical production, essen-
tially dedicated to the saxophone, and which had probably been ordered by the in-
ventor to supply his catalog of a number of ensemble compositions, ranging from
the duet to the octet…He is appointed Bandmaster to 34 ° of Line on March 19th,
1856, with second lieutenant's rank: he will thus never be a member of Sax's class
in the Imperial Music academy (section reserved for military pupils), which opened
its doors only in 1857…The service records of Savari describe him "good harmo-
nist and composer." These qualities were apparently appreciated, and indicated the
capacity of a bandmaster to supply with the musical material for his orches-
tra…Furthermore, the instrument list often includes two soprano saxophones: he
played certainly one of the parts himself…He died in Bayonne on June 3rd, 1870,
little time after the death of his wife (between June, 1867 and August, 1869). His
last report, while aged 50, described him "old and a little tired, but very energet-
ic."135
Jérôme Savari wrote several compositions for the saxophone, his most popular work still

performed today is his Fantaisie sur des motifs du Freischütz de Weber, for alto saxophone and

piano (1855). In 1857, Adolphe Sax became the first saxophone professor at the Paris Conserva-

tory. Undoubtedly, he required more compositions for his students and ensembles. Sax published

a series of original compositions between 1861-1862, including several of Savari’s solos, quar-

tets, ensemble pieces and Duo for soprano and alto saxophone (or tenor and baritone saxo-

phone).136

The Duo only contains one movement with few tempo changes. Savari’s application of

imitation between the two voices is easy to identify and can be exemplified in mm. 89-95 (see

Example 76). The principal themes and motivic ideas present themselves equally in both parts.

135
“Looking for Savari,” Serge Bertocchi, accessed March 4, 2015,
http://saxophonemes.fr/eng.saxophonemes.fr/Looking_for_Savari.html.
136
Ibid.  

156
 Another characteristic feature of Savari’s writing also can be found in this example is the

motivic repetition. In mm. 5-12, mm. 13-20, mm. 37-44, mm. 53-60, mm. 65-72 and mm. 89-95,

Savari either repeats the four-measure phrase twice or begins with exact the same melodic line.

Example 76: Savari, Duo, mm. 89-95

The range of the Duo for both voices is limited. In each part, the highest note Savari

writes is D3 and the lowest note is C1, both in the regular register. Since Adolphe Sax’s original

keywork and fingering design was not completed at the time, it was common for the early saxo-

phone repertoire to encompass a more limited range than what is available today. The range of

the saxophone in 1861 was from note B1 to F3 of the saxophone register.137 Today, the regular

range of the saxophone is from note B-flat1 to F-sharp3.

From today’s perspective, Jérôme Savari’s Duo for soprano and alto saxophone contains

neither profundity of harmonic and melodic design nor technical challenge for the performers.

On the contrary, this piece contains historical meaning and value for the genre of the saxo-

phone duet. Especially in the infant stages of saxophone history, it contributed to the repertoire

137
According Jaap Kool, the original design of saxophone does not contain the low B-flat key until 1887. Jaap Kool,
Das Saxophon. English translation by Lawrence Gwozdz. London. Egon Publishers Limited, 1987, 99.

157
and supported the early saxophone as a classical instrument which certainly encompasses artistic

and aesthetic possibilities.

158
 Vereecken, Ben, Sixteen Artistic Duets

Title: Sixteen Artistic duets (1926)

Composer: Ben Vereecken (1867-1938)

Movement title / Tempo markings:

1. Twilight Shadows (Waltz) 2. Remember Me (Fantasy)

3. Thoughts at Eventide (Fantasy) 4. Chatterers (Polka)
5. Two Artists(Grand duet de Concert) 6. Reminiscences of Youth (Romance)
7. Two Butterflies (Caprice) 8. Midgets Dance (Characteristic)
9. A Conversation (Characteristic) 10. The Boatmen (Barcarolle)
11. A Witches Frolic (Characteristic) 12. In the Days of Knights (Fantasy)
13. Bay of Monterey (Romance) 14. Memories of the Ballet (Waltz)
15. Shepherds Dance (Characteristic) 16. Tenderness (Duet de Concert)

Type of saxophones: two like saxophones

Range: Saxophone 1: C1 – F3

Saxophone 2: Bb1 – D3

Required extended techniques: None

Dedication: None

Availability: Rubank

Available recording: None Available

Composer’s other published works for saxophone:

A Shepherd’s Dream, for alto saxophone and piano, Bar

Admiration, for alto saxophone and piano, Bar

Autumn Life – Blue Bells of Scotland, for saxophone and piano, CF

159
 Bouquet de fleurs, for alto saxophone and piano, Bar

Complete Chart for all saxophones, CF

Cupid’s Courting – Narrative East, for saxophone and piano, CF

Foundation to Saxophone Playing, CF

Junior Saxophone Method, Rub

Last Rose of Summer – Mocking Bird, for saxophone and piano, CF

Love’s Declaration – Fading Blossoms, for saxophone and piano, CF

The Saxophone Virtuoso, CF

Song of the Desert – Queen of the Night, for saxophone and piano, CF

Waternymphs, for alto saxophone and piano, Bar

Comments:

Benjamin Vereecken was a virtuosic soloist and pedagogue of the saxophone in the early

twentieth century. He was born in Temse, Belgium in 1867. He was recruited into the Belgian

military band in 1885. Vereecken joined John Philip Sousa’s band for the world tour of 1910 and

stayed with Sousa until 1915.138 He moved to the United States at the beginning of the twentieth

century and became a citizen in 1929.139 Vereecken died in 1938 at the age of seventy-one. Ve-

reecken’s most significant publication is his method book, Foundation to Saxophone Playing: An

Elementary Method, published by Carl Fisher in 1917. This book was considered an important

standard method book for all the saxophone students during the first half of the century.140

In 1926, Finder & Urbanek (later Rubank) was founded in Chicago, and published Ve-

reecken’s Sixteen Artistic Duets in the same year. These delightful duets were written in a simple

138
Gee, 17.
139
Walter F. Hoehn, Jr., “Mr.Saxophonist,” Benjamin Vereecken: Performer, Pedagogue, Composer.” D.M.A.
diss., University of Memphis, 2014, 36.
140
Gee, 17.  

160
form each depicting specific characteristics and styles. Vereecken adopted various musical styles

in these duets, including Waltz, Fantasy, Polka, Romance, Caprice, Barcarolle and several differ-

ent folk dances. He provided interesting and imaginative titles to each duet. Although these com-

positions can be performed in a concert program, they are more apt to be used for their pedagog-

ical purposes.

With the exception of the two duets intended for concert, No.5 Two Artists, and, No.16

Tenderness, the length of the remaining duets is short. These are appropriate for teaching and

most of the duets are given specific tempo indication.

Vereecken composes in relatively easy keys in these pieces. In Vereecken’s duet, each

voice is equally important. The writing is characterized by a strong sense of imitation and themes

are freely shared between the two parts. Example 77 demonstrates the equality and independence

of voice parts as well as the composer’s penchant for imitation.

161
Example 77: Vereecken, Sixteen Artistic duets No.16, Tenderness, mm. 6-20

Copyright © 1926 Rubank. Used with permission.

162
 APPENDIX A

LIST OF SELECTED REPERTOIRE

163
Composer Title Date Types of Saxophones Publisher
Adler, Samuel Contrasting Inventions 1998 Alto, Tenor Theodore Press-
er
Bumcke, Gustav 38 Duette, op.43 1927 2 like saxophones Boosey &
Hawkes
Caravan, Ronald Three Modal Dances 1979 Soprano, Baritone Ethos

Cowell, Henry Hymn and Fuguing 1964 Soprano, Contrabass To The Fore
Tune No. 18
Cockcroft, Barry Slap Me 2005 2 Alto Reed
Dubois, Pierre- Six Caprices 1967 2 like saxophones Alphonse Leduc
Max
Fox, Frederick Visitations 1982 2 Alto Dorn
Hartley, Walter Dance 1990 2 like saxophones Ethos
Hindemith, Paul Konzerstück 1933 2 Alto Schott
Klosé, Hyacinthe 10 Duets 1877 2 like saxophones Alphonse Leduc
Éléonore
Koch, Erland von Birthday Music for Sig- 1987 2 Alto Dorn
urd Raschèr
Koch, Erland von Dialogue 1975 Soprano, Alto Dorn
Koechlin, Charles 24 Duos, op. 186 1942 Soprano, Alto Editions
Billaudot
Lacour, Guy Suite en duo 1971 2 like saxophones Editions
Billaudot
Lamb, Barefoot Dances 1962 Soprano, Alto Näckens Vänner
John David Or
2 Alto
Lauba, Christian Six Duos 1995 2 Alto Edition Robert
Martin
Lauba, Christian Adria 1985 2 Alto Resolute Music
Publications
Lauba, Christian Ars 1992- 2 Soprano Alphonse Leduc
94
Morosco, Victor Six Contemporary 1974 2 like saxophones Morsax
Etudes for Saxophone In

164
 Duet Form
Noda, Ryo Murasaki no Fuchi 1981 2 like saxophones Alphonse Leduc
Robert, Lucie Rythmes Lyriques 1984 Soprano, Tenor Editions Billau-
dot
Rossé, François Ximix 1997 2 Soprano Fuzeau
Savari, Jérôme Duo 1861 Soprano, Alto Musik Fabrik
Or
Tenor, Baritone
Stockhausen, Knabenduett 1981 2 Soprano Stockhausen
Karlheinz Verlag
Tull, Fisher Dialogue 1987 Alto, Tenor Southern Music
Vereecken, Ben Sixteen Artistic Duets 1926 2 like saxophones Rubank

165
 APPENDIX B
INFORMATION OF PUBLISHERS

166
Abbreviation Full Publisher Name Contact Information
AMP Associated Music Publishers= 7777 West Bluemond Road, Mil-
HLe Hal Leonard Publication waukee, WI 53213, USA:
www.hebramusic.be
Ba Bärenreiter Verlag Heinrich-Schütz-Allee 35, D-34131
Kassel, Germany;
www.baerenreiter.com
Bar C. L. Barnhouse Co Box 680, 205 Cowan Avenue West,
Oskaloosa 1A 52577, USA;
www.barnhouse.com
Bel Belwin: = CF n/a
Bil Editions Billaudot 14, rue de l’Echiquier, 75010 Paris,
France; www.billaudot.com, USA =
Pres
Br&Ha Breitkopf & Härtel Walkmühlstrasse 52, 65195 Wiesba-
den, Germany; www.breitkopf.com
B&H Boosey & Hawkes 229 West 28 Street, Floor 11, New
York NY 10001, USA;
www.boosey.com
Chou Choudens & Co: 38 rue Jean Mermoz, 75008 Paris, Fran-
ce; = Led
CF Carl Fischer 65 Bleeker Street, New York, NY
10012, USA; www.carlfischer.com
CG Carl Gehrmans Box 42026, 126 12 Stockholm, Swe-
den; www.gehrmans.se; USA =
B&H
DP Dorn Publications P. O. Box 206, Medlfield MA 02052,
USA; www.dornpub.com
Dur Durand (Universal Music Pub- 16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques,
lishing Group), 75005 Paris, France; USA = HLe;
www.durand-salabert-eschig.com
Eth Ethos Publications P. O. Box 2043, Oswego NY 13126,
USA; http://ethosmusiconline.com
EK Edwin Kalmus P. O. Box 5011, Boca Raton FL
33431, USA; www.kalmus-
music.com
E&R Eisoldt & Rohkrämer Berlin, Germany
Fro Frolich Ansbacherstrasse 52, 1000 Berlin
W30, Germany; www.grahlffm.de
Fuz Fuzeau BP 406. Courlay, 79306 Bressuire,
France; www.fuzeau.com
GrB Gravis Edition Grabbeallee 15, 13156 Berlin, Ger-
many; www.editiongravis.de
HL Harold Lyche Edition Lyche, P. O. Box14999
Vika, N-0116 Oslo, Norway;

167
 oivin.brock@lychemusikk.no
Kal Kalmus P. O. Box 5011, Boca Raton, FL
33431, USA; www.efkalmus.com
Led Alphonse Leduc 175 rue St-Honoré, 75040 Paris
Cedex 01, France;
www.alphonseleduc.com
Lem Henri Lemonie 27 boulevard Beaumarchais, F-
75004 Paris, France; www.henry-
lemoine.com
Mar Editions Robert Martin 106 Grande Rue de la Coupée,
71850 Charnay-Lès-Macon, France;
www.edrmartin.com; USA = Pres
Mas Masters Music Publications Ludwig Masters Publications, 6403
West Rogers Circle, Boca Raton, FL
33487, USA; www.masters-
music.com
Mau Maurer 7 Av du Verseau, B-1200 Bruxelles,
Belgium: USA = MBCo (M. Baron
Company: P. O. Box149, Oyster
Bay, NY 11771, USA)
ME Max Eschig 16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques,
75005 Paris, France; www.durand-
salabert-eschig.com
MFa Musik Fabrik 18, rue Marthe Aureau, F-77400 La-
gny-sur-Marne, France;
www.classicalmusicnow.com
Mol Molenaar: Industrieweg 23, NL-1521 ND Wormerveer,
Netherlangs; www.molenaar.com;
USA = HE (Henri Elkan Music: P.
O. Box 965, Planetarium Station,
New York, NY 10024, USA)
MorS Morsax Music http://www.morsax.com
NSM North Star Music P. O. Box 317, Park Ridge, IL
60068, USA
NV Näckens Vänner 1907 East Blaine, Seattle, WA
98112, USA
Oil L’Oiseau Lyre B. P. 515, MC-98015 Monaco
Cedex; www.oiseaulyre.com; USA =
CF
Paq Christine Paquelet Edition Arts n/a
PDP Prairie Dawg Press 514 N. Juliette Ave. Manhattan KS
66502, USA;
www.prairiedawgpress.com
Peer Peer Music Verlag Muhlenkamp 45, 22303 Hamburg,
Germany; www.peermusic.com

168
PhiCo Philharmusica Corpration 305 Madison Ave., Suite 1161, New
York, NY 10165, USA;
www.philharmusica.com
Pres Theodore Presser Company 588 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia
PA 19406, USA; www.presser.com
RE Ries&Erler Wandalenallee 8, D-14052 Berlin,
Germany; www.rieserler.de;
USA=CF
ReedM Reed Music P. O. Box 2929, Fitzroy MDC, Fitz-
roy, Victoria 3065, Australia;
www.reedmusic.com
ResMP Resolute Music Publications http://resolutemusicphblications.com
RMP Rochester Music Publishers = P. O. Box 257, North Greece, NY
AM (Accura Music 14515-0257, USA;
www.accuramusic.com)
RR Rideau Rouge: USA = HLe n/a
Rub Rubank = HLe n/a
Sal Editions Salabert 16 rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques,
75005 Paris, France; www.durand-
salabert-eschig.com; USA=
B&H/HLe
Sax Chez Adolphe Sax Paris, France
Sch Schott Weihergarten 5, 55116 Mainz, Ger-
many; 254 West 31st Street, Floor 15,
New York, NY 10001, USA;
www.schott-music.com
South Southern Music Co. P. O. Box329, San Antonio TX
78292, USA;
www.southernmusic.com
SMIC Swedish Music Information Cen- Sandhamnsgatan 79, P. O. Box
ter 27327, S-10254, Stockholm, Swe-
den; www.mic.stim.se
StV Stockhausen Verlag Kettenberg 15, 51515 Kürten, Ger-
many; www.stockhausen-verlag.com
Tms Temperaments 70crs Alsace-Lorraine, 33000 Bor-
deaux, France;
www.temperaments.fr
TTF To The Fore Publishers 82 Copley Avenue, Teaneck NJ
07666, USA;
www.totheforephblishers.com
Uni Universal Edition 254 West 31 Street, Floor 15, New
York, NY 10001, USA;
www.universaledition.com
VAB Verlag Anton J. Benjamin Lützowurfer 26, 10787 Berlin, Ger-

169
 many; USA = B&H
Wi&Jo Wingert-Jones Music 2480 Industrial Blvd, P. O. Box
1795, Paoli PA 19301, USA;
www.wjpublications.com

170
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Gustav Bumcke, Saxophone Schule. Leipzig, Germany: Anton J. Benjamin, 1926

Gee, Harry R. Saxophone Soloists and Their Music, 1844-1985 – An Annotated Bibliography.
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Horwood, Wally. Adolph Sax, 1814-1894: His Life and Legacy. Surrey: Bramley Books, 1980.

Ingham, Richard, ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone. Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 1998.

Nicholls, David, ed. Contemporary Music Studies series v.16, The Whole World of Music: A
Henry Cowell Symposium. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic, 1997

Londeix, Jean-Marie. Hello! Mr. Sax (Parameters of the Saxophone). Paris: Editions Musicales
Alphonse Leduc, 1989.

Londeix, Jean-Marie, Ronkin, Bruce, ed. Guide to the Saxophone repertoire 1844-2012. Cherry
Hill, NJ: Roncorp, 2012.

Orledge, Robert. Contemporary Music Studies series v.1, Charles Koechlin (1867-1950): His
Life and Works. Chur: Harwood Academic, 1989

Rousseau, Eugene. Marcel Mule: His Life and the Saxophone. Minnesota: Jeanné 2012.

Rousseau, Eugene. Saxophone High Tones. Bloomington, Ind.: Etoile Music, 1978.

Umble, James C. Jean-Marie Londeix, Master of the Modern Saxophone. Cherry Hill, NJ:
Roncorp, 2000.

Weiss, Marcus. The Techniques of Saxophone Playing. Bärenreiter-Verlag Karl Vötterle GmbH
& Co, 2010.

Dissertations

Allen, Andrew Justin. “The Symphonious Saxophone: A History of the Large Saxophone Ensem-
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South Carolina, 2013.

Anderson, Jonathan. “Eastern Philosophy as Applied to the Interpretation of the Saxophone

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171
Bell, Daniel Michael. “The Saxophone in Germany 1924-1935.” D.M.A. diss., University of Ari-
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Bender, Rhett Lyle. “An Annotated Bibliography of Published Saxophone Quartets (Soprano,
Alto, Tenor, and Baritone) by American Composers.” D.M.A. diss., University of Geor-
gia, 2000.

Bingham, William Edwin. “Pierre-Max Dubois: A performance guide to selected works for the
saxophone.” D.M.A. diss., University of Kentucky, 1988.

Bluel, John S. “A Descriptive Catalog of the Solo and Chamber Saxophone Music of Lucie Rob-
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Bunt, Elizabeth. “The saxophone works of Karlheinz Stockhausen.” D.M.A. diss., The Universi-
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Bunte, James. “A Player’s Guide to the Music of Ryo Noda: Performance and Preparation of
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Fryer, Cheryl A. “An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chamber Music for Saxophone, Winds
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Hemke, Fred, L. “The Early History of the Saxophone.” D.M.A. diss., University of Wisconsin,
1975.

Hoehn, Walter F., Jr. “Mr.Saxophonist,” Benjamin Vereecken: Performer, Pedagogue, Compos-
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Karen, Wylie. “Gebrauchsmusik in Paul Hindemith's Works for Saxophone: The Place of "
Konzerstück für Zwei fuer Zwei Altsaxophone." (Germany) D.M.A. diss., University of
Houston, 2002.

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Logsdon, John Anthony. “An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Pedagogical Material for the
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172
Miller, Gregory E. “The Saxophone Music of Frederick Fox: An Annotated Bibliography With
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Young, Keith Ray. “The Solo and Chamber Saxophone Music of Charles Koechlin (1967-
1950).” D.M.A. diss., University of Maryland College Park, 1991.

Articles

Bongiorno, Frank. “Master class of Visitations by Frederick Fox,” Saxophone Journal vol. 35
(May./June, 2010)

Durst, Alan. “Master class of Birthday music for Sigurd Raschèr by Erland von Koch,” Saxo-
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Roberts, Timothy. “Master class of Walter Hartley’s Sonata for Tenor Saxophone and Piano,”
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Wen, Andy. “The Music of Ryo Noda, Part III,” The Saxophone Symposium, vol.26 (2001).

Discographies

Koryun Asatryan. Works by Christian Lauba, Georges Aperghis, François Rossé, Etienne Rolin,
Hiroyuki Itoh, Hayden Chrisholm. Genuin, GEN12301, 2014. Compact Disc

Bertocchi, Serge and Goury, Jean-Michel. En Toute Amitie. Erol Records EROC 7013, 1991.
Compact Disc

Brutti, David. Koechlin, Complete music for saxophone. Brilliant Classics 9266, 2012. Compact
Disc

Duke, Michael. Duo Sax. Saxophone Classics CC4006, 2012. Compact Disc.
Goury, Jean-Michel. Parolium, Musiques de François Rossé. Erol Records EROC 7026, 2003
Gwozdz, Lawrence. Raschèr International. Albany Troy 289, 1998. Compact Disc

Hirosaka, Shin-ichiro and Arai, Yasushi. 6 Caprices. Meister Music 2024, 2008.
Compact Disc

Loeffert, Jeffrey. Differential Moods. Blue Griffin BGR303, 2012. Compact Disc.
Raschèr Saxophone Quartet (Harry Kinross White and Carina Raschèr). Bis-1153, 2002.
Compact Disc

173
Sugawa, Nobuya and Tse, Kenneth. Stellar Saxes. Crystal 359, 2009. Compact Disc.

174