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Ever since the Lulu experiences of my youth, the saxophone has had a particular fascination for me. The instrument had an important role in my early orchestral works, and the composition of Discantus III for saxophone during the 1970's marked the beginning of a new phase of development. For me, the writing of this work brought images of counterreaction, echoes from the past, and a certain sort of continuity: reaction in the form of an intuitive writing style after the protracted computer-work of Dicta; echoes from the melodic-dramatic world of Silkkirumpu (The Damask Drum), and continuation in the further development of a homophonic palette of harmonic colours, the purest expression of which can be found in ...tyttöjen kävely ruusulehdossa... (...floral view with maidens singing...). The work leads on from my Piano Concertos in the sense that as a portrait of a solo instrument it strives towards a symphonic totality — I have thus taken as my exemplar, and as an archetypal wind concerto, Carl Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto from 1928, much as I admire and enjoy Richard Strauss’s 2nd Horn Concerto, or Jacques Ibert’s Saxophone Concerto.The concerto is in two movements. I have not sought to set up opposites of tempo or character between these, but rather they differ from each other by virtue of their emphasis and scale, like a pastel drawing and a fresco. In the opening movement (‘Scene’) a multifaceted force-field encounters a homogeneous line. As a catalyst for their reaction, there is a situation of diversity without tension. An accompanied cadenza opens the second movement (‘Song and Dance’), which is practically uninterrupted melody. From this branches out an opulent network of enveloping sprouts: rapid reactions to the details of the main line, rarely if ever becoming a continuous counterpoint. The movement places the orchestral interlude at the point where the dynamic growth has peaked, and the kinetic energy is beginning its growth towards rapid music.Sub-headings used in the drafting of the work: I Ritratto I — rilassato — ritratto II incontri e giuochi presenza ed ecoII Cadenza Carezzando — fervente — appassionato interludio frusta — tromba — clarinetto — stretto codaThe Concerto was commissioned by the Helsinki Festival, and is dedicated to Pekka Savijoki.© Paavo Heininen, 1983(Helsinki Festival)(translated by © William Moore)

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Movements

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Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin

Saxophone Concerto Op. 50