Composer

:

Luciano Berio

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1981

Average_duration

:

13:50

Luciano Berio's 'Sequenza Ixb' is a solo piece for alto saxophone, composed in 1987. It was premiered by Claude Delangle in Paris in the same year. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and technical demands. The first movement, marked "energico," is characterized by fast, virtuosic runs and leaps. The saxophonist is required to play with great intensity and precision, navigating complex rhythms and intervals. The movement is highly chromatic, with frequent use of quarter-tones and microtonal inflections. The second movement, marked "dolce," is a lyrical and expressive contrast to the first. The saxophonist plays long, sustained lines with a warm, singing tone. The movement is marked by a sense of longing and nostalgia, with occasional moments of tension and dissonance. The final movement, marked "agitato," returns to the frenetic energy of the first. The saxophonist is required to play with great speed and agility, executing rapid runs and trills with precision. The movement is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, creating a sense of urgency and excitement. Throughout the piece, Berio explores the full range of the saxophone, from its lowest notes to its highest altissimo register. He also makes use of extended techniques such as multiphonics, flutter-tonguing, and slap-tonguing, adding to the piece's technical demands. Overall, 'Sequenza Ixb' is a challenging and virtuosic work that showcases the expressive and technical capabilities of the alto saxophone.

More....