Two of the last four works composed by Alexander Glazunov were written for saxophone. Interestingly, Glazunov neglected to utilize saxophones in any of his previous output; however, upon moving to Paris as an exile of World War II, Glazunov became acquainted with the two preeminent classical saxophonists of the early 20th century – Marcel Mule and Sigurd Rascher. Glazunov met Mule and attended a reading session of La Garde Républicaine Saxophone Quartet, of which Mule was the principal chair. Glazunov, inspired by the ensemble’s cohesiveness, tuning, and technical virtuosity began sketching what would become his monumental work for saxophone quartet in 1932.
This work is written decidedly in the Romantic style. Glazunov clearly became nostalgic near the end of his life, drawing inspiration from his former glory as the director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory before the political uprisings in the Soviet Union forced him to flee the country.
The Quartet contains three movements, the first of which is written in strict sonata-allegro form, and harmonically resembles the output of Brahms, Wagner, and Dvorak. The second movement contains a theme based on a Russian folk tune with five variations, two of which are dedicated to Schumann and Chopin. The finale is a joyful and melodious rondo painted with virtuosic counterpoint, a trait that many consider as homage to J.S. Bach. It is interesting to note that Glazunov never inscribed the title ‘saxophone quartet’ on any of his manuscripts: he named the work Quartet No. 8 in B-flat Major, signifying he intended the piece to stand alongside his previous seven quartets for strings.Project Fusion
Classical Music | Music for Quartet
Alexander Glazunov
Saxophone Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 109 Play
Recorded on 09/25/2013, uploaded on 04/29/2014
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Two of the last four works composed by Alexander Glazunov were written for saxophone. Interestingly, Glazunov neglected to utilize saxophones in any of his previous output; however, upon moving to Paris as an exile of World War II, Glazunov became acquainted with the two preeminent classical saxophonists of the early 20th century – Marcel Mule and Sigurd Rascher. Glazunov met Mule and attended a reading session of La Garde Républicaine Saxophone Quartet, of which Mule was the principal chair. Glazunov, inspired by the ensemble’s cohesiveness, tuning, and technical virtuosity began sketching what would become his monumental work for saxophone quartet in 1932.
This work is written decidedly in the Romantic style. Glazunov clearly became nostalgic near the end of his life, drawing inspiration from his former glory as the director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory before the political uprisings in the Soviet Union forced him to flee the country.
The Quartet contains three movements, the first of which is written in strict sonata-allegro form, and harmonically resembles the output of Brahms, Wagner, and Dvorak. The second movement contains a theme based on a Russian folk tune with five variations, two of which are dedicated to Schumann and Chopin. The finale is a joyful and melodious rondo painted with virtuosic counterpoint, a trait that many consider as homage to J.S. Bach. It is interesting to note that Glazunov never inscribed the title ‘saxophone quartet’ on any of his manuscripts: he named the work Quartet No. 8 in B-flat Major, signifying he intended the piece to stand alongside his previous seven quartets for strings. Project Fusion
More music by Alexander Glazunov
Selections from Saxophone Quartet, Op. 109
Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
Meditation
Valse D-major Op.42/3
Chant du ménestrel, Op. 71
Concert Waltz no. 1 in D Major
Canzona variée from Saxophone Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 109
Stenka Razin
Performances by same musician(s)
Andante et Scherzo for saxophone quartet
Tango Virtuoso
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