Three Pieces For Saxophone Quartet

Conducteur et parties Saxophone Quartet (SATB) The Three Songs (Trois Chansons) dating from 1914/15 were arranged for four a cappella voices by Ravel immediately after he had written the music of these pieces. The lyrics were penned by the composer himself. The songs represent Ravel’s sole contribution to choral literature. The first song consists of three sections and tells the story of Nicolette, who sets out to pick flowers in the fields. Just like Little Red Ridinghood, she meets a wolf who asks her if she is on her way to her grandmother’s house (M.1-13). Fleeing from him, she meets a page who wonderswhether she would like to have him as her “lover true”. She dismisses his proposition though she finds it hard to do so (M. 14-39). In the third section, she encounters a plump, unhandsome man (lento!). He speaks to her:”Stay, stay, my Nicolette, all this gold I give to thee”, and - “VIVO” - Nicolette takes refuge in his arms. (M.40 to end). The Three Lovely Birds from Paradise are sky-blue, white as fallen snow and bright red - just like the colors of the Tricolore, the national flag of France - which has been interpreted in many reviews as a sign of an increasingly nationalistic attitude becoming apparent in the war year of 1914. This song mourns the loss of the beloved one who went to war. The Ronde is also made up of three sections. The old women are the first to sing (M.1-28). They warn the young maidens against entering the forest since it is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous (male) beasts. Then (M. 29 – 56) the old men warn the young lads against going into the woods because of the numerous (female) demons living there. The irony of the story is to be found in the final answer of the young people (as of M. 57), who conclude: “We will not go into the woods since the old folks have frightened off all the beasts, anyway.”

The Fairer Sax Ensemble Book 3-Sax Ensemble provides a great set of lively and idiomatic pieces for Saxophone Quartet. Each piece is carefully selected for easy to intermediate level players making it an ideal choice for less experienced players. Scored for three Alto and one Tenor Sax with optional parts for Soprano (or B Flat Clarinet) and Baritone.

Historical information about Händel's Water Music Suites is limited, but certainly these works were intended for two, possibly three, parties given by King George I on the Thames River, London, between 1715 and 1736. Händel and his orchestra played on a barge. Since then the some twenty-two separate original pieces have been organized into three Suites and nicknamed 'Water Music?, each having a separate key and likely corresponding to these river parties. This transcription of Water Music Suite II for saxophone quartet has two purposes: to make this music available to saxophonists for performance and education, and to provide in one volume the entire Suite II. The exception to the latter, because of the limits of endurance, is the exclusion of the short Adagio, a brief interlude between the fi rst two movements. Included though are the Allegro, Hornpipe, Minuet, Lentement, and Bourree. These works were originally meant for an outdoor performance, and one of the original intentions of the saxophone was to play in French military bands, also an open-air purpose. The original scoring of brass, woodwind, and string instruments (but no continuo) transcribe well for saxophones. Matching the ranges of instruments of the original to the saxophone quartet was a primary objective. In addition, this arrangement strives to disperse melodic material to all four saxophones so as to make the arrangement pleasing to all the members of the quartet while providing variety to an audience. Any dynamic, articulation, and tempo markings are to be taken only as suggestions so as to allow interpretation by the performers. The musical study and performance of all styles while using examples of composition and performance that represent excellence is necessary for saxophonists who wish to be well-rounded musicians. For the above reasons saxophonists are urged to listen to recordings of the original orchestration in order to learn and imitate proper interpretation of Baroque style. There are currently a number of excellent recordings of Handel's Suites on period instruments, such as (but not limited to) those by conductors John Eliot Gardiner, Christopher Hogwood, and the ensemble Tafelmusik. The Lewis-Clark State College Saxophone Quartet has for many years enjoyed performing Suite II for concerts, ceremonies and social settings, and I thank Advance Music for the opportunity to bring these great works to the profession. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

James Rae’s eminently successful tutor Introducing the Saxophone was the first of its kind providing the complete beginner with material in popular styles yet allowing for a sound musical development along traditional lines. Now complementing the tutor James Rae has produced these three volumes to introduce the beginner to ensemble playing. The parts are of the same technical level and are written with hints and tips along the way to familiarize the beginner with a new set of considerations and become a good team player.• easy pieces introducing the various aspects of music making with others• all parts are of equal difficulty• compatible with Introducing Duets Trios and Quartets for clarinet• especially suited to group teaching• ideal material for concerts and examinations

with optional combinations of instruments - mit variabler Besetzung. The volumes of the Ad libitum series contain duos, trios and quartets of easy, medium and advanced levels of difficulty, which are playable with various combinations of instruments. Ad libitum Family Edition volumes are recommended mainly for families or groups of friends where at least three people play an instrument. Each of the pieces included can be performed using flexible instrumentation, whether there are three, four or even five persons who would like to play together. This volume contains the finest of easily playable pieces for Christmas and Advent. Some can include a singer, so that a vocal part appears with the instrumental ones. At least two melodic and one accompanying instruments are required to perform the pieces Part I - violin / descant recorder / flute / oboe / clarinet / soprano saxophone / trumpet Part II - violin / treble recorder / clarinet / trumpet Accompaniment- piano / guitarAny of the following optional parts can be added Voice (ad libitum) Percussion (ad libitum) Bass (ad libitum)- cello / bassoon / euphonium/ Recueil / Ensemble