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Fundamental Dissonance, an original composition scored for alto saxophone and sinfonietta, explores the concept of dissonance not only in the traditional musical sense related to tonality, but as a general principle indispensable for variety and creation. The particular perspective of this concept that can be found in the early work of the Hungarian philosopher, aesthetician, and literary historian Georg Lukács has given a specific direction to my creative process. In one of his first writings, The Theory of the Novel (1914), Lukács presents the idea of dissonance in the following terms: “Every form is the resolution of a fundamental dissonance of existence.” Here Lukács refers to a general conception of form, which includes the artistic context. A couple of texts about Lukács contribute to a thorough understanding of this idea and help to give shape to my interpretation of this sentence. Resolution is the key term in the sentence and mediates between form, what will be created, and dissonance, what needs to be resolved. In this way dissonance is presented as a problem, a question, or what others have also called a knot. It is fundamental because of its previous condition to existence. Without unrest, unity keeps things in a state of equilibrium, inhibiting movement or variety. Instead, disunity, or dissonance, permits change and creation, hence existence. There is a strong link between creation and dissonance. These ideas, and the multiple interpretations of dissonance in the musical context, influenced the original concepts used in Fundamental Dissonance and guided the compositional process. The first, and perhaps more evident manifestation of dissonance is the use of specific intervals as foundations of the musical language in the piece. Uses of the set class (012); with variants (013), (023), or (024) obtained by the expansion of (01); appear not only in the melodic and harmonic aspects but also at the structural level. Some scattered uses of microtonality are also part of this approach. In opposition, and as a reference to its genesis, the “equilibrium before its existence” is represented with unisons, adding contrast and variety to the previous intervals. Contrast is the second element I used to represent Lukács’s idea of dissonance. I have included references to contrasting styles and genres, short passages in tonal chords or short melodic cells with tonal character. These traditionally consonant elements play a contrasting –i.e., dissonant- role because of the general dissonant language in which they have been placed. Other compositional aspects that serve as contrast have to do with the opposition of densities and textures; the highly marked differences between the two main themes; and the use of the alto saxophone, an instrument traditionally not belonging to the sinfonietta, as the soloist. Extramusical elements have been used as general principles in the creative process. The saxophone adopts a role of leadership from the very beginning of the piece, presenting its ideas in a monologue style. Some instruments follow the soloist while others oppose, creating a clash of forces that ultimately generates more dissonance.

This project has come about because of the need for Australian saxophonists to develop an awareness of saxophone history and culture in their own country. Dulcie Holland, William Lovelock and Margaret Sutherland were artists who were active and influential in the areas of performance, composition and pedagogy, helping to create and promote the musical arts in Australia during the first half of the twentieth century. The high regard in which they are held should be evidence enough that their works for saxophone must be performed by their fellow Australians as a part of a well rounded, international exposure to the very best repertoire available. Saxophonists in Australia will be able to place themselves in a relevant world context only when they are fully aware of the heritage their instrument has in their own country. The present editions (created using the type-setting software Sibelius 4) seek to make performance considerably easier by eliminating the need to use the composer's autograph manuscripts, which are sometimes difficult to read and understand, due to poor hand-copying or repeated photocopying which has subsequently made some pages illegible. The accompanying performance guides are designed as introductions, the first step for the young student wishing to tackle these national treasures.

The young age of the saxophone in the existence of the music world has influenced the instrument���s repertoire and programs to be versatile in genres and stylistic influences. This program features styles from several time periods and cultures including 20th and 21st century contemporary saxophone and piano duets, Brazilian choro, electronic music, and jazz. The nature of the instrument also allows pieces written for other instruments to take a different characteristic and open new meaning to a piece when played on the saxophone. For example, the element of passion in Brahms���s Sonata in F minor No. 1 for clarinet takes on new form when played on the saxophone. The goal of the program is to feature both music that the saxophone is important in creating, and that is important in the existence of the saxophone as a solo and ensemble instrument. / Mary Pappert School of Music; / Music Performance / MM; / Recital;

This document provides a short history and analysis of Gerard Grisey's Anubis et Nout, written for Harry Sparnaay in 1983 and dedicated to Claude Vivier, a friend and colleague of Grisey's who was murdered that year. Although Anubis et Nout is originally for solo contrabass clarinet, Grisey also created a version in 1990 for Claude Delangle, to be played on either baritone or bass saxophone. Both versions are published by Ricordi.In the first two chapters, I present a brief introduction to the life and music of Gerard Grisey, as well as an introduction to Claude Vivier. In chapter three, I give a chronology of Anubis et Nout; the history presented here is largely informed by interviews conducted by the author with instrumentalists Jean-Noel Crocq, Claude Delangle, Harry Sparnaay, and Taimur Sullivan. The remainder of the document is an original analysis of each movement of Anubis et Nout. The analysis includes discussion and examples of subharmonicity, harmonicity, time concepts presented in Grisey's essay "Tempus ex Machina" , and Grisey's attention to timbre through diacriticals as they pertain to the work.

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) was one of the most influential composers of the second half of the twentieth century. Although his music has been written about extensively, there is little scholarship focusing directly on his saxophone music. This document is a study of Karlheinz Stockhausen's saxophone works. It introduces saxophonists, and others, to Stockhausen's idiomatic stylistic traits and techniques in the context of his saxophone pieces. Particular aspects of Stockhausen's creative output are illuminated, including the formal construction of his pieces, the visual component of his pieces, the spatialization of his pieces, and his use of electronic media. Six of Stockhausen's pieces are discussed in detail: In Freundschaft, Saxophon, Knabenduett, Linker Augentanz, Erwachen, and Edentia.

Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra is a work of 15 minutes duration, scored for solo alto saxophone, flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, timpani, percussion, piano, and strings. Within the work, an invented harmonic structure is combined with a freely improvised melody that is subjected to a large-scale formal process of phrase expansion and contraction. Layers of musical activity, involving interval templates (defined as invariant patterns of pitches), phrase-lengths, melodic contour, referential rhytlimic gestures, and pedal-notes are set in motion from the outset. While operating independently, these musical elements converge at major section points in the work, of which there are ten. The ultimate aim is to devise engrossing musical textures that embody variation within coherence, and possess strong goal-directionality. The method of composing with interval pairs represents a novel approach to harmony, and the resulting harmonic structures underlie much, but not all of the work. In terms of melody, the predominantly step-wise and back-circling (melody which moves away from then back towards a central tone) character is also of great significance in the work, providing the basis for much canonic imitation. The commencement of a new section in the work is often marked by two gestures: a treble pedal figure, and a "bouncing" figure, which occur in the first and last quarters of the work. Examination of larger-scale structures designated as "super-sections" (each comprising three or four sections) reveals the systematic phrase expansion and contraction that juxtaposes sections with short phrases next to those with long ones. This expansion and contraction of phrases creates the ultimate structure of the work.

abstract: Four new duets by different composers were commissioned for this project that utilize the clarinet and bass clarinet with tenor saxophone and bassoon. The pieces are Three Southwest Landscapes by Dan Caputo, Gestures by Michael Lanci, Connotations and Denotations by Jeffery Brooks, and Lyddimy by Thomas Breadon, Jr. The present document includes background information and a performance guide for each of the pieces. The guide gives recommendations to aid musicians wishing to perform these works. Also included are transcripts of interviews conducted with each composer and performer, as well as full scores of each piece. In addition to the document there are recordings of all four pieces. / Dissertation/Thesis / Dan Caputo, Three Southwest Landscapes, I - Marvel of Ages / Dan Caputo, Three Southwest Landscapes, II - Weathered Moon / Dan Caputo, Three Southwest Landscapes, III - Abstrata / Thomas Breadon, Jr., Lyddimy / Michael Lanci, Gestures / Jeffery Brooks, Connotations and Denotations / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2014

abstract: This project includes a recording, composer biographies, performance guides, and composer questionnaires for seven original works commissioned for either the Rogue Trio or Lotus. The members of the Rogue Trio are violinist Kathleen Strahm, saxophonist Justin Rollefson, and pianist Mary Cota. Lotus’s members include Samuel Detweiler, Justin Rollefson, and Kristen Zelenak on saxophone. Both ensembles are based in Tempe, Arizona. All seven original compositions were recorded at Tempest Recording in February of 2018. The first piece, Four Impersonations (2016), was commissioned by the Rogue Trio and written by Theo Chandler (b.1992) for violin, soprano saxophone and piano. The second piece was written by Spencer Arias (b. 1990) titled He Said There Was No Sound (2015) for violin, alto saxophone, and piano. The final work is titled Cabinet Meeting (2017), composed by Zachary Green (b. 1993) for violin, alto and tenor saxophone, and piano. The first piece commissioned by Lotus and composed by Spencer Arias is titled As I escape, the water calms (2017) for soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, and tenor saxophone. The second piece was composed by Graham Cohen (b. 1999), titled Introduction and Toccata (2017), written for soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones. The third piece, titled Everything that rises, was written by David “Clay” Mettens (b. 1990) in 2014 for three soprano saxophones. Samuel Detweiler, Justin Rollefson and Tyler Flowers originally commissioned this piece. The final piece commissioned by Lotus was written by Matthew Kennedy (b. 1987) titled Triceratops: tasty grooves for saxophone trio (2017) for alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. / Dissertation/Thesis / Four Impersonations, Movement I: An outwardly-confident adolescent demanding recognition - Theo Chandler / Four Impersonations, Movement II: A grumpy hermit ignoring the attention of a suitor - Theo Chandler / Four Impersonations, Movement III: A skinny, shy boy standing in the rain - Theo Chandler / Four Impersonations, Movement IV: Subordinates mocking an authority figure - Theo Chandler / He Said There Was No Sound - Spencer Arias / Cabinet Meeting, Movement I: Introduction - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement II: Jared Kushner, mysterious robot - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement III: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, lonesome cowboy - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement IV: Anthony "The Mooch" Scaramucci, in candid conversation with the New Yorker - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement V: Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement VI: Ben Carson Secretary of Housing and Urban Development - Zachary Green / Cabinet Meeting, Movement VII: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, responding to questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee - Zachary Green / As I escape, the water calms - Spencer Arias / Introduction and Toccata - Graham Cohen / Everything that rises - David “Clay” Mettens / Triceratops - Matthew Kennedy / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2018

Master of Music / School of Music, Theatre, and Dance / Anna Wytko / The saxophone is a versatile instrument utilized in a variety of musical styles. Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, Claude Debussy’s Rhapsodie pour Orchestre et Saxophone, and Edison Denisov’s Sonate pour Saxophone Alto et Piano are among some of the most important, original works for saxophone. The saxophone can also effectively be utilized in music from earlier time periods. For example, the saxophone is capable of producing tonal colors that closely mirror tonal colors associated with string instruments. These parallels make transcriptions of the Six Suites for Solo Cello by Johann Sebastian Bach particularly effective when performed on saxophone. This master’s report, presented as extended program notes, includes biographical information about the composers, a stylistic overview of the selected works, and thoughtful performance considerations.