I've just posted the second and third movements of my Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra in the Sequenza21 Listening Room. The first movement is also on the list (scroll down to find it).
The concerto was written for my former saxophone professor, Lawrence Gwozdz (who was kind enough to give the premiere with the Szczecin Philharmonic in Poland). I conceived the work in three movements, expressing a familiar narrative arc: a terrible event happens (I. Larghetto), we try to deny it or ignore it by plunging ourselves into debauchery (II. Burlesque), then our memories catch up to the present moment and we are confused as to how we should move on (III. Andante misterioso - passacaglia).
Of all the movements, the third is my favorite. After a short orchestral introduction (traces of E-flat minor?), an awkward passacaglia begins. The variations grow more dense until the bass tune crumbles; after a pizzicato interlude, the theme desperately attempts to regain control, but all is lost. The saxophonist quotes the first movement, the string orchestra restates the introduction, but no path seems viable. After a reflective "cadenza", both soloist and ensemble settle on a vague C-minor conclusion (the strings play an open fifth C-G...the saxophonist determines if it should be colored with a major or minor third....minor wins out).
According to the soloist, the audience very much enjoyed the work (unfortunately, I could not attend the premiere). Gwozdz played the piece incredibly well. He is truly an artist.
posted by Alan Theisen
