Cascade, 4 Saxophones

For Bb Soprano (or Bb Tenor) Saxophone and Small Orchestra-This dance-driven saxophone concerto in miniature demonstrates how Villa-Lobos could integrate nearly any instrument into a Brazilian sound world while still composing a fully 'classical' piece. Of the three short movements the first 'Animé ' is the longest clocking in at about four minutes. An agitated downward cascade for the strings ushers in the soloist playing an angular strongly rhythmic theme relying on quickly repeated notes. A second melody is much broader and more luxurious and spreads across half the movement before the opening rat-a-tat theme begins to insinuate itself very subtly into the proceedings again. Even then the more lyrical melody remains in control to the movement's end. The second movement 'Lent ' relies on a sexy chromatic melody that lingers in the soprano saxophone's high register. After only the briefest pause the finale 'Très animé ' arrives with an impulsive sometimes jittery theme over a firm beat. The solo part wanders off into trills while the small orchestra stretches out in long voluptuous chords. But soon the dance rhythm returns stronger than ever bouncing toward a conclusion in which the saxophone departs with an upward flourish seeming to vanish from the movement without providing a harmonic resolution. (James Reel All Music Guide)