Episodes from a concerto (2020)

‘Episodes from a Concerto’ is a version for soloist and chamber orchestra of my concert for saxophone and large orchestra from 2004, performed by Jeanette Balland and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. This version is a recomposition of sections from the big orchestra version, that are suited to a smaller format, hence the title Episodes from a Concerto.

The 1^st movement is written for baritone saxophone, the deepest of the four main members of the saxophone family. Its wide register – from the raw deeper tones, to the sonorous mid-range, to the tense higher tones – is fully expressed in a music about energy and steady progress. But a couple of times along the way, it is as if everything is ‘turned off’ – whilst at other times, it is gaining speed!

In the 2^nd movement the soloist changes to an alto saxophone. The movement is wavy, almost without shape, characterised by fluid, microtonal melodies and alternating light and dark timbre.

The 3^rd movement Interlock is actually a type of rondo, or rather a rhythmic double rondo. There are two machine-like repetitive rhythmic patterns that intertwine like gears. Around the middle of the movement time becomes elastic, the motoric music pace decreases into slow motion and thins out: a lyrical moment briefly overtakes the movement. In the end (coda) the soloist grabs the baritone saxophone once again.