Date of Defense
3-26-2022
Date of Graduation
4-2023
Department
Music
First Advisor
Henning Schroeder
Second Advisor
Andrew Rathbun
Abstract
Postcards is a senior recital celebrating saxophone repertoire from diverse composer nationalities, including composers of Czech, French, Japanese, and German background. While this program only begins to scratch the surface of both composer and stylistic diversity present throughout the saxophone repertoire, it represents some of the most significant influences on the music available to saxophonists. Bookending the recital program are two French contest pieces, Brilliance by Ida Gotkovsky and Lamento et Rondo by Pierre Sancan. The morceaux de concours, or competition pieces, written for the Paris Conservatory are an important tradition because of the history of saxophone pedagogy in Paris. Many of the pieces written for this competition become standards in the repertoire, so it is important to acknowledge the source of those compositions as well as the presence of the French writing style. Ryo Noda’s solo saxophone work Maï showcases influences of traditional japanese instruments on another approach to the saxophone sound concept. Ryo Noda’s background also demonstrates the interconnectedness of pedagogical lineage in the saxophone community, as he studied with significant American and French saxophone professors. Czech born American composer Karel Husa’s Postcard from Home inspired the title of the recital and demonstrates a general inspiration from folk music in the saxophone repertoire, as well as Husa’s sole contributions. Lastly, Robert Schumann’s Drei Romanzen, originally written for oboe (or violin) and piano, shows the importance of transcriptions to the saxophone repertoire. Since the saxophone was not invented until later in the nineteenth century, the only way to explore authentic baroque, classical, or even a breadth of romantic era works is to study and perform music from those time periods written for other instruments. Beyond this brief demonstration of the diverse influences on saxophone repertoire, the importance of electronics and new music as they relate to the saxophone community must be explored. However, as a basis for the first significant sources in saxophone repertoire, this recital program serves as an effective initial survey.
Recommended Citation
Kilpatrick, Owen, "Senior Recital, Saxophone" (2022). Honors Theses. 3705.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3705
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Recital Program
Spring 2022 Recital_ Owen Kilpatrick, Saxophone.mp4 (435861 kB)
Recital