Composer

:

David Maslanka

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Average_duration

:

43:48

David Maslanka's Concerto for alto saxophone & wind ensemble is a contemporary classical composition that was completed in 1999. The piece was premiered on April 15, 2000, by the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble, with Timothy McAllister as the saxophone soloist. The concerto is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical themes. The first movement, marked "Moderately fast, with energy," begins with a lively and rhythmic theme in the wind ensemble. The saxophone enters with a lyrical melody that is developed throughout the movement. The saxophone and wind ensemble engage in a dialogue, with the saxophone often playing virtuosic runs and the wind ensemble responding with rhythmic interjections. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played by the saxophone and wind ensemble together. The second movement, marked "Slowly, with great feeling," is a lyrical and expressive meditation. The saxophone plays a long, singing melody that is accompanied by the wind ensemble in a rich and harmonious texture. The saxophone and wind ensemble engage in a call-and-response, with the saxophone playing a phrase and the wind ensemble responding with a variation. The movement ends with a quiet and introspective coda. The third movement, marked "Fast, with great energy," is a lively and rhythmic finale. The saxophone and wind ensemble engage in a playful and virtuosic dialogue, with the saxophone playing fast runs and the wind ensemble responding with syncopated rhythms. The movement features a lively and energetic theme that is developed throughout, with the saxophone and wind ensemble trading off solos and playing together in unison. The concerto ends with a triumphant and energetic coda. Overall, Maslanka's Concerto for alto saxophone & wind ensemble is a virtuosic and expressive work that showcases the saxophone's versatility and range. The piece features a rich and varied texture, with the wind ensemble providing a colorful and dynamic backdrop for the saxophone's melodic and virtuosic lines. The concerto is a challenging and rewarding work for both the soloist and the wind ensemble, and it has become a staple of the contemporary saxophone repertoire.

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