Fun excursion for sax quartet in three different dances: an initial habanera, a charming waltz in the middle, and a closing dance in a general up-tempo Latin feel, grounded in tango rhythms.
Saxophone Quartet | Grade 4 | 6:00
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About the piece
What began as a compositional exercise in writing for chamber ensembles transformed, over the course of the creative process, into a fun excursion for sax quartet in three different dance forms: the initial habanera, a charming waltz in the middle, and the closing dance in a general up-tempo Latin feel, grounded in tango rhythms. The opening soprano melody reappears as a contrasting B-section in each of the subsequent dances, in heavy disguise (as in the waltz) or more apparently (as in the final dance). Each saxophone takes a turn in the spotlight, and the rhythmic interplay of all four parts continuously drives the piece toward its conclusion.
Three Dances for Four Saxes was premiered in 2011 by the Concordia Sax Quartet.
Paul Cravens 