Snake & Ladder

Snake & Ladder was inspired by Jess Gillam’s virtuosic acrobatics as a saxophonist. It is a short, fast and playful piece for solo saxophone with optional live electronic processing that explores the range of the instrument. It is comprised of winding, chromatic lines that are at first characterised by articulated jumps - up the ladders - and then interspersed with legato descending lines - slipping down. Thank you to the Cheltenham Festival for this opportunity to write a new piece for Jess.

(c) Anna Clyne, 2019

“an effective and enjoyable piece.” —Arcana

“Anna Clyne’s Snake and Ladder, written for [Jess Gillam], jerkily climbs to the heights before slithering back to earth: up and down, over and over. It’s playfully done and Gillam grinned at the end.” —The Sunday Times