Sketches for Saxophone

Description

From the composer, Alan Bullard: “Sketches for Saxophone” consists of three movements for alto saxophone and piano: they may be performed separately, or together to make a suite. Each piece is based on the same musical shape, a rising fourth followed by a faster stepwise pattern, but they are very different in character.
The first movement, “Shifting Skies” contrasts a reflective opening section with a spiky Allegro, and gradually the two ideas become intertwined. “Blue Landscape” follows, in which a wide-ranging and freely expressive saxophone line is accompanied by rich harmonies on the piano. The final movement, “Restless Energy”, presents the musical shape in a lively neo-classical way, often interrupted by jazz-inflected syncopated patterns, leading to a final grand statement and a throw-away ending.

Sketches for Saxophone was written for and dedicated to the composer’s son, Sam Bullard.

The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with an Eb saxophone part and piano accompaniment.