for SATB Saxophone Quartet
Instrumentation:
- Bb Soprano Saxophone
- Eb Alto Saxophone
- Bb Tenor Saxophone
- Eb Baritone Saxophone
Program Notes:
Everyone knows the famous paintings of Piet Mondrian, and even if one does not know them by name, or know multiple, they are aware of his iconic 1930 works, Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow. This piece attempts to make musical portraits of his own paintings, the first movement depicts the Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, which is showcased through unison notes long, linear notes with many moments of silence throughout, making lots of space, depicting the lines of the painting and where the stop at the edge of the canvas, and then start back up again somewhere else. Next is Mondrian’s Girl Writing which is a quiet painting of just that, a girl writing. The music here is intimate, and evocative of one’s own time to themselves. Then comes the interesting, View of Winterswijk which is a work that means a lot depending on the view you see it through. Through the view of the composer, it is seen as a showcase of the rejection of city life and the embrace of a more quaint, quiet lifestyle. A lively waltz is employed throughout, and there are even hints of a cow, as seen in the painting. Finally, there is the work, Along the Amstel, depicting a scene of the Amstel River. The music moves from dark, minor music, or major more heavenly, elated music, as the painting itself goes from a dark left side, to a brighter, more hopeful right side, with a blue sky peaking from behind the clouds.
Score Video/Audio:
Full Set of (4) Player Scores Available Directly from the Composer.