Alo Saxophone and Piano

These three gorgeous pieces showcase the lyrical romatic side of the saxophone. Featuring a soaring solo line over rich harmonies, the first and third of these pieces are slow, while the central movement is slightly faster. Not technically too difficult (range goes form low B to high D), but requires sophisticated playing to make the most of the expressive elements of the music.

Alto Saxophone and Piano

An arrangement of Saint-Saens' delightful oboe sonata for alto saxophone and piano. In three movements, with the charming melodic touches and harmonic twists of the Romantic era. The first movement starts allegretto, before increasing in speed for a more empassioned central section before returning to the first idea again to close. The second movement starts with an ad libitum passage, where the solo line floats freely over lush held chords in the piano. This is followed by a 9/8 section with the feeling of a pastorale with a beautiful flowing lightness, before a brief coda of the ad lib. material. The last movement alternates between march-like sections and flowing lyrical passages before racing to an impressive final cadence. A welcome addition to any concert programme.

Alto Saxophone and Piano

An attractive short work by a composer more well known for his operas.  In two movements: a lyical Andante in common time, followed by a 6/8 time Andante with the feeling of a Tarantella. Nothing technically too challenging (maybe about grade 5 standard), but requiring sensitive playing to bring out the musical qualities of the melodic lines.

Saxophone Duet

A duo of very substantial length, this book includes individual printed parts for ease of page turns as well as a score. In three movements.

Saxophone Duet

Another duo of very substantial length, including individual printed parts for ease of page turns and score, this duo is in three movements.

Saxophone Duet

Two duets by Reger, arranged for two saxophones. The first movement is a compete canon, with the second player entering after half a bar. The second duet has a similar feel but is more fugal, with the second part being more independant of the first. This contrapuntal texture gives the music a Baroque feel, but the wide ranging keys, multiple time changes and dramatic dynamics add a more Romantic dimension to the pieces.  Fairly short pieces (about 40 bars and about 50 bars) but marked at Vivace and Allegro con spirito, these are around grade  5-6 standard.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

A jazzy quartet for traditional saxophone quartet. Fairly short, but good fun for quartets, easily playable for players of around grade 4 upwards.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

Originally published for string quartet in about 1892, these three minuets were dedicated to figures in Puccini's life. Beautifully lyrical, with interest in all parts. The first is in a fairly complex key (concert Gb major) and requires neat semiquaver playing from all players. The second is simpler, and features a central trio section just using the upper three parts. The third minuet is particularly attractive, and features interesting cross rhythms which build the music to a glorious climax. Again using the full range of each instrument and needing musical playing, these are suitable for players of grade 7/8 standard and above.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

One of Haydn's last string quartets arranged for saxophone quartet - the height of elegant and sophisticated writing for a small group of instruments. It takes its name from the second movement, in which Haydn uses the anthem 'God Save Emperor Francis' (which he wrote for Emperor Francis II) as the theme for a set of variations. This tune later became the German National Anthem, and is also well known as the melody for the hymn 'Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken'. In four movements, the first and last of which are extended compositions in sonata form. The second movement is the set of variations mentioned above, in which each instrument takes a turn at stating the tune, while the other instruments weave their variations round it. The third movement is a boisterous Minuett. An extended work, requiring neat playing from all musicians. The soprano part is particularly challenging, requiring nimble fingering and some rapid tonguing. The minuet and trio is easier but still rewarding. A chance for a sax quartet to try music from a different historical period.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

A transcription of a famous choral piece by Mozart. Extremely playable and very enjoyable.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

Pieces from Haddon Hall, Yeoman of the Guard and The Mikado. Some contrapuntal sections, with some more traditional tune and accompaniment sections. Suitable for grade 4-8 players.

Saxophone Quartet SATB

One of Schubert's early works arranged for saxophone quartet. A lively first movement, then a Minuet and Trio, then a lyrical slow movement and then a Presto Finale. This is a simpler arrangement to give some earlier players a chance to play some ensemble music. With musical interest in all parts, the simpler phrase structure and range of notes would suit players of about grade 4 standard. Schubert's unmistakable gift for melody shines out here.

Saxophone Octet SSAATTBB

A complete arrangement of Mendelssohns String Octet for eight saxophones (double quartet). This is an early work by Mendelssohn, but displays all the features for which he is best known. Delightful melodies, playful counterpoint and wide ranging use of keys all keep the interest of both the listener and player through this large scale piece. In four movements, the first is by far the longest lasting about 15 minutes. Syncopated rhythms and a wide ranging tune give this a sense of urgency and excitement. The second movement is slower, but features intricate rhythms in all parts. The third movement is a Scherzo reminiscent of the
music Mendelssohn was to write for The Midsummer Nights Dream, requiring agility from all players. The fourth movement is marked Presto, and is based upon contrapuntal entries which work their way up from second
baritone sax to first soprano interspersed with unison sections. An exciting end, and a great way for two saxophone quartets to combine and end a concert. Not an easy play by any means, but well worth the work

Saxophone Octet SSAATTBB

Giovanni Gabrieli composed his Canzon septimi toni for the majestic St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, where he was organist and principal composer from 1585 until his death. It comes from a collection of music for brass that Gabrieli composed for church use and published in 1597 under the title Sacrae symphoniae . The pieces in the collection are for various combinations of trumpets and trombones, whose players would have been placed antiphonally inside St. Mark's to take advantage of the church's acoustics and to clarify the dialogic musical structure of works such as the Canzon . This arrangement recreates the antiphonal effects using two sax quartets. The two groups sometimes alternate and sometimes overlap, using rich contrapuntal textures to build the music to a grand climax. Separating the two groups spatially adds yet more interest to the aural experience. Not technically difficult (in concert Bb major), but the use of minim time signatures and the complex polyphony make it musically more challenging.