MacMillan, James: intercession (1991) 7'
for three saxophones
Scoring
3 saxophones - either all soprano or alto saxes
Composer's Notes
The piece begins with a slowly falling scale of seven notes, thrown from one player to another, repeated nine times and embellished with ornamental flurries which outline a gradually evolving harmonic pattern. The repetitive nature of the music is like a peal of bells or some other kind of evocation. Eventually the music breaks out of this cyclic inevitability and heads into a faster dance-like material which in turn develops its own ritualistic recurrences.
This piece was commissioned by the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival for the Chione Oboe Trio with funds provided by Yorkshire and Humberside Arts.
James MacMillan
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer
for three saxophones
Scoring
3 saxophones - either all soprano or alto saxes
Composer's Notes
The piece begins with a slowly falling scale of seven notes, thrown from one player to another, repeated nine times and embellished with ornamental flurries which outline a gradually evolving harmonic pattern. The repetitive nature of the music is like a peal of bells or some other kind of evocation. Eventually the music breaks out of this cyclic inevitability and heads into a faster dance-like material which in turn develops its own ritualistic recurrences.
This piece was commissioned by the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival for the Chione Oboe Trio with funds provided by Yorkshire and Humberside Arts.
James MacMillan
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer
Mailing List
Sign up for news updates and offers via email
SIGN UP
Featured Publication
Rachmaninoff: Paganini Rhapsody
The sparkling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra is included in the Masterworks Library of full scores, ideal for conductors, students and music lovers.
READ MORE