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Tenor Madness: Contemporary Music for Tenor Saxophone

Presented by Pima Community College Center for the Arts at Pima Community College Recital Hall

April 3, 2011

Pima Community College performing arts department presents music faculty Michael Keepe in an unforgettable afternoon exploring the many personalities of the tenor saxophone in "Tenor Madness."

Since the saxophone's patent in 1846, the chosen solo instrument has been the alto saxophone much like the violin has in the string family. Invented in Belgium well before the jazz age in America, the saxophone was intended as a classical instrument.

Today, the tenor saxophone is seen primarily as the instrument of jazz. This recital brings light to the abilities of the tenor saxophone as a concert instrument. Highlights of the program include the "Adagio et Rondo" for tenor saxophone and piano by Jean Baptiste Singelee. This piece was commissioned by Adolphe Sax in 1861 in an effort to create a foundation of repertoire for his new family of instruments. The concert also features a more recent piece, by up and coming composer Carl Schimmel, for tenor saxophone, piano and squeaky toy. (Yes, squeaky toy! This unusual instrument provides a bit of humor to the otherwise rigorous technical demands of the piece.) Two pieces written for Mr. Keepe by New York University composer Drew Krause and former UA composer Kip Haaheim are presented in the second half of the program. (Both works use pre-recorded electronic accompaniment.) Finally, "Sakana" (Fish) by Japanese composer Dai Fujikura closes the program demonstrating the serene movements beneath the sea through multiphonics, quarter-tones and circular breathing.