Saxophone Quintet
by Jennah Vainio
Quintet for Alto Saxophone and String Quartet [formerly entitled as In Situ]
Description
This piece is much about musical gestures that keep reappearing in different disguises positioned against a myriad of musically colorful backgrounds. In the piece I tried to combine a classical approach to form and textures with a modern sound world. One of my main points was also to use all the instruments in an even manner, in other words not to have one instrument dominating the rest.
The Quintet for alto saxophone and string quartet was commissioned by the virtuoso saxophonist Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo and is dedicated to him. The score received financial support from the Foundation for Promotion of Finnish Music (LUSES).
© Jennah Vainio, 2004
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I remember starting to compose the Saxophone Quintet in the late summer months of 2002. The air in the city was thick with heat and behind the window mother nature was blossoming to her fullest extent. During autumn the same year I visited a close relative’s deathbed – a very moving experience that left a mark for life. Something of this bittersweet feeling of great sadness, loss and amazement in front of the mysteries of life itself can be heard in the music. The Quintet for alto saxophone and string quartet was commissioned by the virtuoso saxophonist Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo and is dedicated to him.
© Jennah Vainio, 2007
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Instrumentation asax, 2vln, vla, vlc
Instrument codes
| 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 |
Coding for instrument ensembles and orchestras
| 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 |
Category Chamber Works
Premiere
Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, saxophone, Kamus String Quartet, Paris, October 6, 2004.
Fp in Finland: Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, saxophone, Linda Hedlund, violin, Maya Egashira, violin, Johanna Tuikka, viola, Seeli Toivio, cello, Musica nova Helsinki, Helsinki, March 10, 2007.
Fbp: Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, March 13, 2007
Commisioned by / dedications Commissioned by and dedicated to Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo
Archive number MF18151
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