Description

A piano reduction version of Jeffery Wilson’s “Saxophone Concerto”.

From the composer: My new saxophone concerto for Rob Buckland represents an important development in my own compositional direction. The soloist in this new music will be the individual dealing with life and society, the ensemble will be that very society. We are all touched by the highs and lows of our existence and the impact we have on others. Some of us suffer the lows privately and without notice and others react in a myriad of ways. In response to loved ones, friends and colleagues who have wrestled with issues of mental health, I dedicate this work plus much of the future activity of “Environ Music”, my music and education umbrella company. I anticipate committing a percentage of royalties from the concerto and funds from Environ Music initiatives towards Help Musicians UK.

Having played the saxophone myself for over 45 years it seemed timely to pen a concerto for this most iconic instrument and to combine elements of improvisation with more formal compositional techniques. This is a musical language that has been forming over the years and now, I feel, is coming to fruition. I can think of no better player than Rob Buckland to animate my music.
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The premiere took place at St Anne’s, Limehouse, a Hawksmoor Anglican Church in Limehouse, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on March 16th 2018 with the Docklands Sinfonia under Spencer Down.
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The wind orchestra version was premiered by the Royal Air Force Music Service in 2018.

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

“Testament” is also available in hard-copy from June Emerson Wind Music.