David Heinick, composer
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Sonata for alto saxophone and piano (2002)

i    Poco allegro
ii   Cadenza
iii   Adagio, molto rubato
iv   Immobile
v    Tarantella
vi    Andante, poco adagio

23 minutes

        During his years teaching at Crane, the amazing Tim McAllister asked me for a large-scale sonata that was musically substantial (and not necessarily a virtuosic showpiece).  This six-movement work is the result.  One issue that engaged me with this piece was the exploration of various ways in which movements connect and relate:  The first movement ends conventionally; the third movement begins in the piano before the saxophone finishes the unaccompanied second movement; near the end of the fourth movement, the saxophone anticipates the opening of the fifth movement, which is then launched into without pause; the break between the fifth and sixth movements is  specified to be only about two seconds, much shorter than the normal break.  Throughout the work, music from one movement occasionally crops up in another as well.