Robert Muczynski
Sonata op.29
A well-known work in the saxophone repertory,
this Sonata was written in 1970 and dedicated
to saxophonist Trent Kynaston. It comprises
two movements: I. Andante maestoso, and II.
Allegro energico.
Muczynski’s compositional style is characterised
by distinctive motives and texture. Melodic lines in
the Sonata are strong, and express mood and
atmosphere through undulating dynamic use of
tonal range, warm expression and dark, brooding
lyricism. His typically rhythmic and percussive
writing in the second movement frequently
exploits irregular meter to great effect, which,
combined with his artful use of both dynamic
contrast and the saxophone’s extended tonal
range, creates great excitement and drive. His
pieces are designed to highlight the artistry of the
performer and remain sympathetic to the idiom of
their particular instrument, while logical
development and clarity of intention are traits of
Muczynski’s concise and unpretentious writing.
Sérgio Azevedo
“As Quatro Pecas Breves” ( The Four Brief Pieces) for saxophone and Piano were written in 2009 for the Duo Xasonaip. Although brief as the title indicates , the pieces are nevertheless difficult to perform. The technical skill required applies equally to both instruments. Each piece uses a particular rhythm: a march, a waltz, a gavotte and a tarantella. The musical atmosphere is generally tense, melancholic, nostalgic and sometimes even sad. One might more commonly connect these psychological characteristics with more erudite music, but the musical atmosphere maintains these characteristics with few exceptions– far from the effervescent joy of jazz.
Fuzzy Bird Sonata op.44 1991
This work was composed for virtuoso Nobuya Sugawa.The influences of jazz,rock,folk music and bird songs can be heard and the saxophone plays free improvisations, with a lot of contemporary techniques such as flatter, portamento, glissando , multiple notes and the highest register.
Sonata for Saxophone and piano
I could have written here a typical program inscription emphasising, for example, the many possibilities of instrumental formation; the structure of the piece; the harmonies and rhythms; the melody or even poetic intention and extra-musical aspects. I prefer not to discuss the more technical aspects, rather I think it is important that the listener is not overburdened with too many pre-conceived ideas. Furthermore, words can barely describe the evocative combinations of emotions, states of mind, images and even smells. I hope therefore that the listener will adopt an open-minded approach and guided by the names of the movements, will acquire, without suggestion, their own sensations or even build their own narrative.
This piece is dedicated to the saxophonists Hélder Alves and Diana Catarino and to the pianist Cândido Fernandes and it has been specially conceived for the Duo XaSonaiP.
http://www.myspace.com/tderrica
Insomnia (2004) was composed for the Romeu Costa saxophone final academic recital. It is a three movement piece that evokes sleeplessness phases. I - Anxietas, latin for anxiety, describes the moment when thoughts are very active, retaining people awake. II - Inconstantia, latin for unstable, reflects the moment when people are tired and fight the sleep incapacity. III – Remissi, latin for remission, reveals the slowly coming of sleep, when the insomnia goes away.
PsychoTherapy* was commissioned by Clifford Leaman, with funds provided
by Furman University and the South Carolina Arts Commission. Clifford
premiered the work at the 2000 Tucson NASA national conference.
In the first movement, Anger: Anger Management, a rhythmically active and cluster-laden piano part relentlessly rumbles beneath a ferociously
aggressive saxophone line. The movement drives from beginning to end
with few reflective moments.
Angle of Repose is both the title of a marvelous novel by Wallace
Stegner and a technical term which refers to the maximum angle at which
soil and/or rocks can remain without rolling downhill. Thus finding the
“angle of repose” is to find the maximum point at which some semblance
of balance can be maintained.
The third movement, Attitude: Fun With Funk, is based on, well … a down
and dirty funk groove. This movement features a flurry of notes,
jazz/rock licks and over-the top playing. The saxophonist is invited to
improvise a cadenza.
The fourth movement, Action: Vandermarking, refers to the music of
avant-garde saxophonist and composer Ken Vandermark. I love the
quirkiness of Ken’s music and his use of counterpoint and hope this
hyperactive movement, which virtually explodes at the end, is a fitting
tribute to his musical influence.
PsychoTherapy was commissioned by Clifford Leaman (with funding from the
South Carolina Arts Commission and Furman University) and premiered by
the Ambassador Duo at the 2000 North American Saxophone Alliance
national convention. (www.BenjaminBoone.com)
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