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

Instrumentation

asax, 2vln, vla, vlc

Category

Chamber Works

Premiere

Fp: 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

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Archive number

MF18151

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