Symphony No. 3 ("Brevis") (2019)
Christine Rall of the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet conducts a rehearsal for the first performance of Symphony No. 3 in Rendsburg, Germany (June 2019).
Instrumentation: saxophone orchestra (two soprano saxophones, four alto saxophones, two tenor saxophones, two baritone saxophones, one bass saxophone)
Duration: 11'
Dedicated to: Raschèr Saxophone Quartet, in memory of Kenneth Coon
Movements: One movement
Program Note:
Symphony No. 3 ("Brevis") was requested by and dedicated to the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet on the occasion of their 50th anniversary season and in memory of Kenneth Coon. The single-movement structure presents rhapsodic variations on a group of harmonic ideas presented near the onset of the symphony through a variety of tempi and emotional qualities.
Originally intended to be a three-movement symphony, the composer later decided that the opening movement was sufficient (or even ideal) in itself to convey the sense of life’s fragility and brevity.
The first performance occurred on 10 June 2019 in Rendsburg, Germany, followed by a performance on 29 June 2019 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The work has since been featured in concert by multiple ensembles throughout the United States including Resonance Saxophone Orchestra, the San Jose State University Saxophone Ensemble, the UNLV Saxophone Studio, and the Frost Saxophone Ensemble (University of Miami).
Score Download/Purchase: Not available at this time