Saxophone Music
Restless Birds before the Dark Moon
For alto saxophone and wind ensemble - Duration: c 14:30
Winner
2000 National Band Assocation
Twenty-fourth Annual William D. Revelli Composition Contest
Restless Birds before the Dark Moon was commissioned by the United States Military Academy Band and saxophonist, SSG Wayne Tice, for premiere at the World Saxophone Congress in Montreal in July of 2000. This is a challenging work demanding virtuosity and skill from both ensemble and soloist, but it is extremely well crafted and allows both ensemble and soloist to shine. Restless Birds is immediately attractive to the audience due to its color and energy, but its ultimate impact goes much further than this with its many profound and introspective moments and solid yet unpredictable form. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this work is how the timbre of the saxophone is combined with various instruments and groups within the ensemble. The composer employs both modal and chromatic materials with equal force and often presents the same idea transformed from one of these poles to the other.
As the title suggests, the mood ranges from foreboding to frenetic. Despite its extremely energetic opening there is also an underlying lyricism throughout much of the work which comes to full fruition at the close of the middle section with the saxophone soaring above a darkly colored brass chorale. After this broadly expressive moment the opening tempo is resumed and the piece begins to move ever more dramatically to its final hair-raising climax and a final burst of energy, which has the soloist in rapid-fire unison with the entire ensemble.
Recorded on compact disc, West Point Band, United States Military Academy, 200 Years of Excellence (http://www.usma.army.mil/band)
Price $195 (+S&H) includes full score and set of
ensemble
parts - Grade VI+
Guitar and Saxophone Music
In the Dragon's Garden
Floating on the Wind-Islands in the Sand-The Sea of Stones-Beyond the
Wall-Dancing between the Rocks
For guitar and alto saxophone - Duration: c 17:00
Winner
1995 Lee Ettelson Award
In the Dragon's Garden was selected from 244 entries as a Winner of the 1995 Lee Ettelson Award. Commissioned by Frank Bongiorno and Robert Nathanson for premiere at the 1992 World Saxophone Congress in Pesaro, Italy, the work was inspired by a several visits to Ryoanji, a temple in Kyoto, Japan which is noted for its Zen garden made up almost entirely of rocks. Fifteen large rocks are set with precise randomness in a carefully raked rectangle of small white stones. The entire garden is surrounded by low earthen walls. In this garden, one is free to imagine the many possible meanings it may have. A challenging work both technically and musically, In the Dragon’s Garden extends the boundaries for both instruments and has provided an inspirational and practical basis for future literature in this medium.
Recorded on compact disc, Classic Saxophone, Vol. 2, Music da Camera, LCD 09193(lisciorecordings.com)and soon to be re-released on the compact disc, In the Dragon's Garden: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 98001(lisciorecordings.com)
Price 35.00 (+S&H) includes two performance "scores" designed for each instrument
D R I V E L I N E :
A Powerwalk for Guitar and Alto Saxophone
For guitar and alto saxophone - Duration: c 10:30
Commissioned by The Ryoanji Duo for premiere at the 1997 World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain. The title DRIVELINE refers to the single unison line which opens this one movement work with its characteristic energy and rhythmic momentum. This "line" is elaborated further by each instrument in its own way creating virtuoso variations as the structural basis of the work. This is the second work to explore the rich medium of classical guitar and alto saxophone. It sounds remarkably different from the first although it continues to provides equally strong textural contrasts and depths of emotion, a standard set by its predecessor. Soon to be available on the compact disc, In the Dragon;s Garden: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 98001(lisciorecordings.com)
Price 30.00 (+S&H) includes two performance "scores" designed for each instrument
Saxophone Ensemble Music
RUSH
For saxophone quartet (SATB) - Duration c. 5:00
It must be heard to be believed!
The fast and furious work was
inspired by a radio broadcast of West Point Saxophone Quartet, which
the composer heard in his car. The new virtuosity of this group and its
convincing performances of chromatic, rhythmic, and edgy sorts of
pieces made a strong impression. The result is a cutting edge addition
to the saxophone quartet repertoire. Rush was written during
the composer's Bellagio residency in the summer of 2003 and the West
Point Quartet recorded it soon after. It was then given its official
premiere at World Saxophone Congress XIII. The piece opens with a
seamless line of 16th notes beginning softly and growing. The tempo is
relentless even during the more lyrical "chorale with protesting
soloist" middle section and piece begins and ends with the same unison
passage consisting of 700+ notes!
Price $35.00 (+ S&H - Grade VI+)
STEPPING OUT
I. Minimum Overdrive
II. Midnight Reflection
III. Anonymous and
IV. An Easy Burden.
For saxophone quartet (SATB) - Duration c. 14:00
Energetic, intense, satirical, and wonderfully melodic, appropriate for both professional and advanced student groups. Commissioned by the Saskatoon Saxophone Quartet for premiered at the 1989 Navy Band Symposium it has since been performed widely throughout North America and Europe. It was selected for performance at the Southwest Contemporary Music Festival at Southwest Texas State University (1990), College Music Society National Conference in Washington, DC (1990), Annual New England Saxophone Symposium at U-Mass Amherst(1998/2001), and the 4th British Saxophone Congress in Yorkshire(1996).
Price $45.00 (+ S&H - Grade V
MUSIC FOR SAXOPHONES
I. Funky Music
II. Funeral Music
III. Fast Music
Solo alto saxophone and saxophone quartet(SATB) - Duration c. 16:00)
A virtuoso show piece, ideal for teacher or graduate student saxophonist to perform with a student quartet
Commissioned & premiered by Frank Bongiorno and the Washington Saxophone Quartet at the 1985 World Saxophone Congress in Washington, D. C.
Recorded on compact disc, Winter Branches: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 97982 (lisciorecordings.com)
Price $50.00 (+ S&H) - Grade IV(solo alto Grade-VI)
TSUNAGARI
Strong-Timeless-Satirical-Intense-Quick (played without
pause)
Solo soprano saxophone and saxophone quartet (AATB) - Duration c. 14:00
Commissioned and premiered by Frank Bongiorno at the 1988 World Saxophone Congress in Kawasaki, Japan and featuring at the 1989 Navy Band Symposium. The work is continuous with each of the 5 sections connect by a soprano saxophone cadenza. this is a 5 movement work played without pause.
Available soon on the compact disc, Tsunagari featuring Eugene Rousseau and the Zagreb Saxphone Quartet, Liscio Artist Series (lisciorecordings.com)
Price$50.00 (+ S&H) - Grade V(solo soprano Grade-VI)
Saxophone and Sax Ensemble +
VALENCIA: Iberian Musings for Marimba and Saxophone
Quartet
Marimba and saxophone quartet (SATB) - Duration c. 16:00
An energetic, provocative and entertaining work for marimba and saxophone quartet in three movements:...on the edge, Prayer and Lament with Interjections, Please refrain... Premiered by the Empire Saxophone Quartet with Gordon Stout marimba.
Available soon on the compact disc, In the Dragon's Garden: Music by David Kechley, Liscio 98001(lisciorecordings.com)
Price 50.00 (+ S&H) - Grade V(marimba Grade VI)
SURFACE TENSION: A Saxtet for Woodwinds
Alto saxophone and woodwind quintet - Duration c. 8:15
An attractive and exciting one movement work which addresses the need for substantial works for saxophone in combination with orchestral woodwinds. The saxophone is not attempting to be featured here, simply to claim a rightful place among its classical counterparts. However, a recent review points out the alto saxophone adds a "dark and buttery depth" to this work and a "warm and sexy patina to woodwind music" in general.
The "saxtet" is one continuous movement which combines the saxophone with the horn in the opening bars and then goes on to demonstrate how well the saxophone works in many other combinations within the group.
The work was jointly commissioned by the Academy Woodwind Quintet and Wayne Tice saxophonist, and the Ithaca Woodwind Quintet and Steven Mauk.
Price 50.00 (+ S&H) - Grade VI