Sweet and Doleful Timbres (2021) for soprano saxophone and guitar

Program Notes:

When Soovin Kim approached me about writing a work for saxophone and guitar, I immediately thought of the possibilities for this combination of instruments: the saxophone, with its potential for long, lyrical lines, and the guitar, with its ability to create beautiful harmonic backgrounds as well as act as soloist. I have known both Tim's and Jason's playing for many years and relished the chance to bring these two amazing musicians together for a brand-new work. There is a melancholy characteristic to each of the instrument's sound, and thus, the title Sweet and Doleful Timbres.

The piece is in three contrasting movements. The first movement presents long, lyrical lines in the saxophone, building and receding throughout, while the guitar provides the rhythmic and harmonic background, but also occasionally moves into the foreground as soloist. The second movement is more experimental in nature and features high harmonics in the guitar (bell-like high, pure tones). The third movement is fast-paced, with constant motion. It features constantly changing meters, with rhythmic and imitative motives passed between the instruments.

Sweet and Doleful Timbres was co-commissioned by the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, and String Theory at the Hunter for saxophonist Timothy McCallister and guitarist Jason Vieaux.

-- Pierre Jalbert