Saxophone

with Piano: Written for Joe Lulloff and inspired by jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s composition Blacknuss. In the introduction to Blacknuss Kirk states "there are 52 white notes and 36 black notes on the piano. We're going to play the black notes only, if you don't mind." The opposition suggested between black and white notes is expanded to include static and dynamic elements, consonant and dissonant harmonies, and pattered and non-patterned events. The title also refers to the middle section's exclusive use of the black notes of the piano. Vigorous swing rhythms contrast with sections of haunting beauty. Learn More

with downloadable backing track

Composed in a style that is a blend of jazz, rock and classical techniques, The Bottom Line is a 21st-century jazz/rock Pachelbel’s Canon in which a 5-bar bass line continues for over two minutes while changing melodic lines evolve over the ostinato bass. Learn More

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Alto Sax solo with Concert Band; get your fingers moving with this fast paced Alto Saxophone solo commissioned by Greg Dewhirst and composed by Thomas Bough

“Burn” was first performed at the NASA Region IV Conference at Oklahoma State University in March of 2017 by Dr. Greg Dewhirst.  Numerous schools and professional players supported the creation of this exciting, playful work. 

The harmonic progressions found in the Bach Chorale “Christus, der ist mein Leben” are explored in a variety of musical styles in the form of a Rondo.  In each, “Burn” displays the technical virtuosity of the alto saxophone as it dances through shifting meters, blazing sextuplet runs, and even a latin section to bring to life this charming, 5 minute composition.  

Piano reduction found here

 

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with Piano; get your fingers moving with this fast paced Alto Saxophone solo commissioned by Greg Dewhirst and composed by Thomas Bough

“Burn” was first performed at the NASA Region IV Conference at Oklahoma State University in March of 2017 by Dr. Greg Dewhirst.  Numerous schools and professional players supported the creation of this exciting, playful work. 

The harmonic progressions found in the Bach Chorale “Christus, der ist mein Leben” are explored in a variety of musical styles in the form of a Rondo.  In each, “Burn” displays the technical virtuosity of the alto saxophone as it dances through shifting meters, blazing sextuplet runs, and even a latin section to bring to life this charming, 5 minute composition.  

Sound file of the Wind Band version found here

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Violin and Alto Saxophone

Cadenzas and Interludes #1 "Memories from the Isle of Mull" was composed by Howard J. Buss and dedicated to Drs. Rachael and Stephen Fischer. It was inspired by the composer’s visit to the picturesque Isle of Mull in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. Particularly memorable was a Saturday night Cèilidh* in the island’s capital, Tobermory, which included traditional music from the area. The Scottish musical influences are not direct in Cadenzas and Interludes #1; rather, their spirit is blended with Buss’s style of soaring lyricism with a modern bent.

*Pronounced, Kay-lee. In Gaelic, a Cèilidh is a social gathering featuring music, storytelling, and dance.

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CANZONA by Florentio Maschera (1540-1584) transcribed by Howard J. Buss. This late Renaissance work is written in a stirring imitative style and makes a memorable feature number for a recital as well as a wonderful musical offering in church. Learn More

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with Brass Quintet Learn More

Soprano and Alto Saxophone Learn More

Written for Baritone Saxophone and Piano, this is a challening work that is most suited for a college age student. 

Program notes from the composer:

Just as Chagall mixed landscapes, characters, and creatures into a surreal concoction in his paintings, Chagallian Scenes does so in music. So we might start with a march only to dissolve into a waltz with flashes of dissonance morphing into cacophony, or we might settle comfortably into a key when suddenly it veers into an unrelated other. The movements are named after the pictures that inspired them.

The first movement, Promenade, or  Der Spaziergang, opens with cheery walking music appropriate for a man and his lovely lady out for a stroll. But the mood soon  edges into whole tone surrealism reflecting that the pink frocked lady is floating, held down to earth only by the grasp of her companion.

The music for The Wandering Jew  is influenced by the diverse dwellings of the Jewish diaspora, ranging from the Moorish influence of the Andalusia to the Klesmer of New York. 

The third movement, Au Dessus de la Ville (Over the town) has drifting rhythm, like the drifting figures over the town. The scene is dreamy and surrealistic with the music moving in and out of sync.

I And the Village, considered Chagall's most famous painting, cuts from one scene to another as if remembering a lifetime. The man with the scythe  trudges along throughout, listening to the sounds of the village: a goat bleating, a Klesmer violinist, the bells of the Russian Orthodox Church… it is a tapestry of joy and tragedy, hard labor and festive dance.

 

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with Piano

Chiaroscuro was composed in 2007. Its title refers to the contrasting effects of light and shade in painting, a technique usually associated with such seventeenth-century artists as Caravaggio and Rembrandt. The work is dedicated to Larry Van Oyen, my good friend and current saxophone teacher and Director of Bands at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. When I forwarded the score to Larry, I shared these comments with him: “In many ways, this is my most personal piece. It probably comes closest to expressing the unsettled quality of my soul at this juncture in life – a jumble of sorrows and hopes, worries and faith.”

– Whitney Prince

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In 3 movements, this arrangement of Geminiani's "Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No. 3" is a nice challenge for a Saxophone Quartet (SATB). This is a perfect piece for a recital. Written during the Baroque period, the challenge be remaining loyal to the Baroque style. Learn More

with Piano

Georg Phillip Telemann’s only concerto for trumpet, the Concerto in D major for trumpet, violins, and basso continuo (TWV 51:D7), was composed sometime between 1710 and 1720. This is Telemann’s only work for written for trumpet in his vast repertoire. Telemann uses sonata da chiesa, with its four-movement, slow-fast-slow-fast plan, for his concerto. Originally for trumpet, strings and continuo, this work has been transcribed for performance on the soprano saxophone (or clarinet) and piano.

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with Piano

Constance is a piece composed for Nicholas Kevin Phillips, a saxophone player I met at the University of Central Florida, as a personal thank you for his generous donation to my “Get Matt to Maryland” Rally via rally.org. The inspiration for this work is the constant drive required to get where we want our lives to go. This is represented by the striving baritone saxophone melody. It evolves slowly, reflectively, aiming for the heights – a celebration of success and joy. The celebration is short-lived as we realize we have not yet arrived and that we are farther away than we initially thought… Learn More

SATB; In four movements

I. Allegro Spiritoso

II. One-Minute Waltz

III. Yuletide Chorale

IV. Fughetta Learn More

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unaccompanied

Diversions for solo saxophone was written in 2013. According to the dictionary, “a diversion is the act or an instance of diverting or turning aside, something that distracts the mind and relaxes or entertains, or a maneuver that draws the attention of an opponent away from a planned point of action. Each of the four movements diverts and distracts, turning in all directions that are unpredictable and unexpected, but are entertaining and amusing all the same.

– Lori F. Ardovino

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