ThaSchwab (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That didn't come out right; exclude "two" from the second sentence.

ThaSchwab (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You know, I never knew that Debussy wrote for the saxophone. Figures some of the only two composers to write for the instrument are French.

atoepfer (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

In response to locobotics - I've played both pieces you mentioned and there are aspects of the Debussy Rapsodie that were more challenging for me musically than either the Ibert or the Maurice. There is a piano reduction by Vincent David that has transcribed all the themes from the oboes & flutes (as well as some orchestral parts) and makes the saxophone take on a more central role in the piece. The subtle nuances and emphasis on tone color and timbre makes this one of my favorites.

victorclarinete (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

extraordinario

jazzobassoon (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

VERY NICE

TheIzzoGuy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

this is not post-tonal. It's modal. I've played this piece, it goes through like 2 key changes and ends on the mixolydian. In the sax part at least. post-tonal means atonal, which this piece is not. Listen to Schoenberg. He's atonal. Nino Rota and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov wrote trombone concerti, however.

TheIzzoGuy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That's very true. There are three different types of concerti. The solo concerto being the most popular.

grantrummel (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Just because the word "concerto" isn't in the title doesn't discount it as being a concerto. A work for a selected soloist or group of soloists with an orchestra is the general parameter that defines a concerto.

grantrummel (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

This is definitely not an example of tonal nor classical music. Hayd, Mozart, Beethoven, etc. is tonal, classical music. This work is a perfect example of a post-tonal, impressionistic concerto for saxophone. And by Debussy to boot! I could only dream of a Debussy trombone concerto...

TheIzzoGuy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

yes, the saxophone was new. Then it got more attention as a lot of famous classical composers wrote for it. But now, it's looked down upon by many classical musicians claiming it's not a classical instrument. That is b.s. because here is a perfect example of tonal, classical saxophone music.