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158booklet 19/12/08 17:47 Page 1 ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics Philip Glass Tangos and Fantasies Complete String Quartets The Cadence Ensemble The Smith Quartet SIGCD140 SIGCD117 In a perfect coupling of contemporary composer and ensemble, The Cadence Ensemble performs the music from the composer The Smith Quartet perform the complete string quartets of who influenced the group - the Argentine Astor Piazzolla - in an American composer Philip Glass: works which bridge three uplifting and exquisitely performed collection of tangos and decades of musical output and delve deep into his huge range fantasies with works from other composers arranged by the of creative influence. group’s leader, Armen Babakhanian. Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 158booklet 19/12/08 17:47 Page 3 Façades 1 Lessons of the Sky for Soprano Saxophone The interplay between the soprano saxophone and and Piano piano is another important aspect of the piece. Rodney Rogers (b. 1953) The two instruments tend to share ideas, tossing motives back and forth in an improvised manner, 1. Lessons of the Sky Rodney Rogers [9.37] The title Lessons of the Sky comes from the essay but in the lyric slow section the soprano The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (found in a saxophone is featured and the piano takes on an Sonata for Alto Saxophone & Piano, Op. 29 Robert Muczynski collection of essays under the same title). Here, accompanying role. Occasionally the piano makes 2. I Andante maestoso [4.12] the sky represents that which is open, alive and an unexpected percussive sound when the pianist 3. II Allegro energico [2.57] infinite. ‘Lessons’ suggests the knowledge gained dampens a string with fingers of the left hand through observation of the world around and whilst playing the keyboard with the right hand. A 4. Here Again Colin MacDonald [4.00] above us - the endlessly varied designs that single low piano note is dampened throughout the nature provides as building blocks for life. entire composition with a rubber wedge (which, 5. Façades Philip Glass [9.13] when struck softly during the slow middle section, takes on a gong-like character). The piece closes Sonata for Alto Saxophone & Piano, Op. 56 Christopher Painter The music is based on short motives and chord progressions that are continually varied and with a return of the fast music, beginning with 6. I Moderato [7.38] juxtaposed. There are three sections in the harmonically stable repeating figures and then 7. II Lento flessible [6.23] composition, forming a fast/slow/fast structure. moving into the short and quickly juxtaposed 8. III Allegro vivo [4.17] While sections one and three emphasize patterns motives that began the piece. This loosely that are fast and rhythmic - with no variation in designed reverse order results in an arch-like 9. Glass Graham Fitkin [3.23] speed - the rate at which chord changes occur shape for the whole composition. varies widely. Early in the piece the harmonies Total Timings [51.40] move quickly underneath the many motives; but Rodney Rogers as the first section progresses, a single Lara James saxophones motive/pattern is periodically isolated and Rodney Rogers writes both instrumental and vocal Jeremy Young piano repeated over very slow chord changes. The music, and his CD Complicated Optimism, features Kathryn Price cello surface rhythm of the pattern remains fast and many of his works. Four of Rogers’ works received Sinfonia Viva constant during these harmonically stable their New York premieres at Carnegie Recital Hall Nicholas Kok conductor sections, yet there is a general perception that the (Weiss Hall), and US performances of his music is calmer. compositions for wind and brass have taken place www.signumrecords.com - 3 - 158booklet 19/12/08 17:47 Page 5 at Juilliard, Eastman, Cincinnati Conservatory of 2 - 3 Sonata Op. 29 for Alto Saxophone and Piano Robert Muczynski was born in Chicago in 1929, 4 Here Again for Soprano Saxophone and Cello Music, Florida State University, Indiana University, Robert Muczynski (b. 1929) of Polish and Slovak parentage. He became an Colin MacDonald the University of Michigan, the University of North accomplished pianist, and while enrolled as a Texas, Northwestern University and the University A well-known work in the saxophone repertory, piano major at Chicago’s DePaul University, he Written in 1999 as a wedding anniversary gift for of Washington. European performances have this Sonata was written in 1970 and dedicated studied with Walter Knupfer. Alexander Tcherepnin my dear friends Zeke and Nicki, this duo for taken place in Belgium, Germany, Great Britain to saxophonist Trent Kynaston. It comprises was to become his most important composition soprano sax and cello marries the masculine and and Italy; those in Asia and the Pacific Rim two movements: I. Andante maestoso, and II. teacher and mentor, and at DePaul Muczynski feminine aspects of both instruments. The soprano include Australia, China, Japan and Korea. Allegro energico. earned his bachelor and masters degrees. saxophone sings in the vocal range of the female Throughout his career Muczynski generally voice, but has a masculine strength, while the Rogers is the recipient of composition awards Muczynski’s compositional style is characterised concentrated his output on producing works for cello sounds in a deep male vocal register, but is from BMI, ASCAP, and the Music Teachers National by distinctive motives and texture. Melodic lines in solo piano and small chamber combinations, and often regarded as a feminine instrument. The Association (MTNA). He has received commissions the Sonata are strong, and express mood and has recorded most of his own piano works. Aged music attempts to share these qualities, winding from the College Band Directors National atmosphere through undulating dynamic use of twenty-nine, he made his New York debut at the voices together in a marriage of melody and Association (CBDNA, 50th Anniversary), the MTNA, tonal range, warm expression and dark, brooding Carnegie Recital Hall, performing a programme of rhythm, and striving to find the balance of play the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA lyricism. His typically rhythmic and percussive his own compositions for the instrument. Now that characterises a strong relationship. Consortium Commission), and numerous individual writing in the second movement frequently considered one of America’s most distinguished performers and chamber groups. Fellowships in exploits irregular meter to great effect, which, neo-Classical composers, Muczynski’s works are Colin MacDonald composition include Tanglewood, the MacDowell combined with his artful use of both dynamic frequently heard in Europe, Asia, and Australia as Colony, and the Yaddo Artist Colony. His music is contrast and the saxophone’s extended tonal well as throughout the United States, with Colin MacDonald is a freelance saxophonist, composer published by Hal Leonard and Carl Fischer and is range, creates great excitement and drive. His performances in venues such as Lincoln Centre, and arranger living in Vancouver, British Columbia. also available through the composer. Rogers pieces are designed to highlight the artistry of the the Kennedy Centre, Orchestra Hall in Chicago and received his PhD. from the University of Iowa, has performer and remain sympathetic to the idiom of the Wigmore Hall in London. Primarily self-taught as a composer, Colin has taught composition at Louisiana State University their particular instrument, while logical studied jazz arrangement with Fred Stride, world and Lawrence University (Appleton, WI), and is development and clarity of intention are traits of Muczynski retired as Professor Emeritus from the rhythms with Glen Velez and Trichy Sankaran, and currently on the composition faculty at Arizona Muczynski’s concise and unpretentious writing. University Of Arizona, Tucson, in 1988 after serving Balinese gamelan with Michael Tenzer and Dewa State University in Tempe, Arizona. as Head of the Composition Department and Ketut Alit. His works have been premiered by the Amongst his other works for wind instruments is Composer-In-Residence for twenty-three years. Turning Point Ensemble, Continuum Contemporary Lessons of the Sky is published by Dorn his Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Chamber Music, Ad Mare Wind Quintet, and The Microscore Publications Inc. Orchestra Op. 41 (1981), for which he received a Sonata Op. 29 is published by G. Schirmer Inc. Project. In 2006 he formed his own chamber Pulitzer Prize nomination. - 4 - - 5 - 158booklet 19/12/08 17:47 Page 7 orchestra, The Colin MacDonald Pocket Orchestra, Philip Glass was born in 1937 and grew up in 6 -8 Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Op. 56 This work was premiered by Lara James and to present his original works. Baltimore. He studied mathematics and philosophy Christopher Painter (b. 1962) Jeremy Young at the Royal Welsh College of Music at the University of Chicago, then composition at & Drama at a concert supported by the Welsh In 2003 he was made an Associate Composer of the Juilliard School. By twenty-three, Glass had This sonata was commissioned by Lara James and Music Guild, in April 2005. the Canadian Music Centre. studied with Vincent Persichetti, Darius Milhaud sets out to explore both the expressive and technical Christopher Painter and William Bergsma. Later he was to study in features of the instrument. The musical material Here Again is published by Cryptic Music. Europe with Nadia Boulanger. His work, both of the three movements is constructed from arrays Born in Port Talbot, South Wales in 1962, musically and intellectually, has had an of notes, which are generated from an initial twelve Christopher Painter studied music at University 5 Façades extraordinary and unprecedented global impact. note series and then divided into cells. These cells College, Cardiff, studying composition with Philip Glass (b. 1937) are then used to create motivic material that is Richard Elfyn Jones and Alun Hoddinott.