Westen Gesell Saxophone Senior Recital- Classical, Bethel College (May 5, 2018)

Sonata for Saxophone and Piano, Op. 19 (1939) Paul Creston (1906-1985)

With vigor
With tranquility
With gaiety

Concerto in E-flat major, Opus 109 (1934) A Glazunov (1865-1936)

Drawing from a multitude of styles, Paul Creston’s Sonata for Saxophone and Piano, Op. 19 quickly established itself as a standard for its instrumentation. The titles and tempo indications of each movement demonstrate well the expressive nature of Creston’s work. Rich, occasionally non-functional harmonies serve to bring these tempo markings to life and, despite the vague tonalities, the piece is unified by surprisingly scalar melodic themes and repeated rhythmic figures. Creston himself did not seriously consider becoming a composer until the age of 26, after which he was largely self-taught. The piece was first performed by its commissioner, Cecil Leeson, with Creston at the piano in 1940.

In 1934, Alexander Glazunov began work on his saxophone concerto “under the influence of attacks rather than requests from the Danish saxophonist Sigurd Rascher”. Despite composing the piece in the 20th century, Glazunov avoided atonal methods in favor of a style drawn much more from the Romantic period. Glazunov wrote his Concerto in E-flat Major, Opus 109 with very specific instructions, highlighting the dramatic, expressive chromaticism with rapid shifts in dynamics, articulation, rhythm, key and tempo. The main melodic theme of the piece is reminiscent of Russian folk songs. In contrast to Creston, Glazunov began composing at the age of 16, going on to study with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Видео Westen Gesell Saxophone Senior Recital- Classical, Bethel College (May 5, 2018) канала Charlotte and Randy Gesell