Sapphire

Alto Saxophone Feature

Cast in one movement, Sapphire is a virtuosic concert work for alto saxophone and band that is appealing to all audiences. It begins with a fast opening followed by a meditative ballad. The dramatic finale is a lively salsa culminating in a noisy, celebratory climax.

Program Notes

Sapphire is a one-movement concerto for alto saxophone and concert band or wind ensemble, commissioned by Mr. Lynn Klock, Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachussetts at Amherst. It consists of three connected sections: the fast opening section is full of energy and edgy intensity; the second is a meditative ballad in improvisatory style, linked by a cadenza to the third section, which is a lively salsa, giving the percussion section a real workout. The themes of all the sections are reunited in the coda of the piece, as it culminates in a long trill by the solo saxophone, with instruments gradually added for a noisy, celebratory climax. The piece was composed entirely during the month of September 2000, and the title Sapphire refers to September's birthstone.

Grade Level: 5
Copyright: 2003
Number of Players: Standard + 1
Duration: 11:20
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: With Soloist
Category: Concert Band

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Solo Alto Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1-4
F Horn 1-4
Trombone 1/2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba

String Bass (optional)

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, congas)
Percussion 2 (bass drum, claves, 2 woodblocks, cowbell, tambourine)
Percussion 3 (triangle, chimes, guiro, agogo bells)
Percussion 4 (tambourine, cabasa, maracas)
Percussion 5 (chimes, suspended cymbal, hi-hat)