Saxophone and Friends

When it comes to instruments in the classical repertoire, the saxophone is not only one of the “youngest” instruments; it’s also one of the most rarely heard. After all, it’s not commonplace in the standard orchestra, and for most of the legendary composers we love… well, the instrument either didn’t exist, or it was still being prototyped in their lifetimes!

Conceptualized in the mid-1800s, Adolphe Sax sought to fill a “missing range:” a hybrid woodwind-brass instrument, informed by his training on flute and clarinet, and his observations of orchestral balance. The rest, as they say, is history.

However, the relative recency of the saxophone has left it with a collection of pieces written for it that is either quite new or reimaginings of music that is somewhat older.

On this edition of Arizona Encore, it’s a collection of chamber music that puts the saxophone in conversation with kindred instruments.

From Schumann’s Fantasiestucke, written around the time Adolphe Sax was filing his patent, to Stacy Garrop’s Silver Dagger, a modern reimagining of a traditional folk ballad. Joel Love’s Elements draws inspiration from earth, wind, and fire, while ASU faculty bassoonist Albie Micklich brings his colleagues together in Stravinsky’s Suite for Woodwind Sextet. And to close, Paul Arma’s Divertimento No. 18 offers nine miniature duets for flute and saxophone.