Paul Creston - Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Op. 26

From my DMA 2nd recital on April 7 2015 at Michigan State University

During the late 1930s Paul Creston served as accompanist for the saxophone virtuoso Cecil Leeson, and developed a fondness for the instrument’s unique characteristics. For Leeson he wrote a sonata and a suite which they included in their programmes, and in 1941 he dedicated his Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra to him, arranging it for saxophone and band a few years later.

In three movements, it makes a strong case for the saxophone as a solo instrument, featuring virtuosic passages in the first movement (Energetic) and third movement (Rhythmic), which ends with a pyrotechnical cadenza marked "as fast as possible." Meanwhile, the saxophone’s cantabile qualities are exploited to the full in the second movement, Meditative, where the 5/4 time and Impressionist-inspired harmonies combine in creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

- Program Note from liner notes of BIS CD La Création du Monde

I. Energetic(00:00)
II. Meditative(06:23)
III. Rhythmic(13:36)

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