Paul Haar, an associate professor of saxophone and director of jazz studies, will present an evening of classical music for saxophone titled, “Old and New Standards” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 6 in the Westbrook Recital Hall at the Glenn Korff School of Music.
This recital will feature three “standard” sonatas of the classical saxophone repertoire. They include “Sonata for Eb Alto Saxophone and Piano” by Wolfgang Jacobi. Jacobi, self-described as a neoclassicist, wrote the “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano” in 1965 for saxophonist Siguard Rascher. Although a lesser-known work for saxophone, it has become a standard work for student and professional alike. Textures of the piece harken to classical, baroque and modern devices.
American composer Alex Wilder offers this recital his “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano.” Composed in 1960 for saxophonist Donald Sinta, this work demonstrates the eclectic nature of Wilder’s compositions. Fused with elements of neo-romanticism, jazz and American popular song, this sonata blends the best of musical “Americana.”
Oliver Nelson, best known as a jazz composer, was well versed in a variety of musical traditions. In his short life, of 43 years, he went from playing at the Apollo Theatre to writing movie and television scores, including music for “Ironside,” “The Six Million Dollar Man” and “Columbo.” His “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano” is a very obscure work for the classical saxophone, having no known performances or recordings of note.
Concluding the program will be the presentation of a new “tradition.” The “Trio After Brahms in G minor for Alto Saxophone, Violin and Piano” presents that influence and tradition of the music of Brahms through the compositional pen of David DeBoor Canfield. The work, written for Thomas Lilly in 2011, showcases the best of the saxophone, utilizing it as both a soloist and as accompaniment.
Joining Haar on this recital are pianists Mark Clinton, Christi Zuniga and violinist, Rebecca Fischer.
The event will be free and open to the public and will also be live webcast. Visit http://arts.unl.edu/music the night of the event for the direct link.
