Where the Mountain Based on the Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Orchestra

Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmVMeHZl8ig&list=RDHmVMeHZl8ig&start_radio=1

1. Mountain Watching II. Mountain Weeping III. Mountain Dancing

This work draws inspiration from the Illawarra’s Mt. Keira and surrounding landscapes; where the mountain meets the sea. Mt. Keira looms above the city of Wollongong like a watchful guardian, the mountain’s dramatic façade was an ever-present backdrop to my childhood.

Mvt. I Mountain Watching commences with a reverberating call and response between the soloist and the piano: an exchange between the watched and the watchers. The work builds towards a highly virtuosic climax in the solo part. A broad palette of saxophone effects depict the sonic landscape of the mountain.

Mvt. II Mountain Weeping centres on a simple melody which is taken up by the saxophone and further developed in an extended cadenza. The movement culminates in a flowing and nostalgic theme, poured out by the piano.

Mvt. III Mountain Dance is a romp in compound time. Vibrant, virtuosic and light-hearted, it is a celebration of life at the foot of the mountain.

This work forms part of an Australia Council for the Arts project to reimagine the possibilities of the concerto format for our times.

Stomp is an angular and chromatic rock anthem powered by the stomping of feet. An opening groove is established by the soloist and soon taken up by the piano, allowing the soloist to explore a range of virtuosic electric guitar inspired sound effects. The climax of the work is a full-throttle alto saxophone cadenza: an eruption of multiphonics, bends, bisbigliandi and squeals that is ‘cheered on’ by a room full of stomping feet.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OqX4WtNRXI

Song, Hands & Stomp is based on the Concerto for Baritone Saxophone, Strings & You. The work showcases the broad ranging expressive capabilities of the saxophone and celebrates the singular joy that is live music performance. To this end, the work blurs the distinction between audience and performer. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnOK1ohyxCE&list=RDdnOK1ohyxCE&start_radio=1

Song, Hands & Stomp is based on the Concerto for Baritone Saxophone, Strings & You. Here, the solo baritone part remains almost unchanged but the string parts have been reimagined for piano. The work showcases the broad ranging expressive capabilities of the baritone saxophone and celebrates the singular joy that is live music performance.

Watch the video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnOK1ohyxCE&list=RDdnOK1ohyxCE&start_radio=1