CLASSICAL SAXOPHONE AND PIANO
Contemporary Music for Alto Saxophone and Piano
The alto saxophone and piano duo offers a wide expressive range, from lyrical writing to bold, resonant colors. This page features Lior Navok’s Hidden Reflections for alto saxophone and piano, alongside a curated selection of contemporary repertoire written for this versatile chamber‑music pairing. The combination of saxophone and piano creates a vivid sound world ideal for recitals, competitions, and modern chamber programs.
Duration:
15 minutes
Instrumentation:
alto saxophone and piano
Year Composed:
1996
Written For:
Styliani Tartsinis
Premiere Performance:
16 December, 1997
Boston, MA, USA
Styliani Tartsinis, alto saxophone
Jenny Tang, piano
Important Note:
All slap tongue notes can alternatively be played as sharp accents.
About Hidden Reflections
Hidden Reflections is a two‑movement work for alto saxophone and piano that explores the instrument’s expressive range, rhythmic agility, and coloristic possibilities. The first movement, The March of the _______!!!, unfolds as a grotesque, rhythmically playful march shifting between odd and steady meters. The second movement, The Evening of the First Snow, turns inward, offering a nostalgic, meditative atmosphere inspired by a Boston winter night. Written for Styliani Tartsinis, who premiered and recorded the work, the piece offers a vivid and contrasting addition to the contemporary saxophone repertoire.
For the Performers
Level: Ideal for professional saxophonists and pianists; also suitable for advanced students developing color, rhythmic clarity, and expressive contrast.
Programming: Works well in contemporary chamber concerts, saxophone‑and‑piano recitals, and programs seeking a dramatic two‑movement arc.
Competitions / Auditions: Suitable for competitions and auditions that value rhythmic precision, expressive depth, and stylistic versatility.
Style: A blend of grotesque rhythmic writing and lyrical, atmospheric introspection.
Venue Fit: Effective in intimate and medium‑sized halls where color and resonance can be fully appreciated.
Program Notes
Hidden Reflections for Alto Saxophone and piano explores the expressivity, agility, wide range, and rhythmic characteristics of the saxophone. The piece is in two movements: First, “The March of the _______!!!” is an impression of a grotesque march and alternates between odd and steady meters. The second movement, “The Evening of the First Snow,” is nostalgic and meditative, inspired by the falling snowflakes on a Boston winter evening, as experienced in 1996. Hidden Reflections was written for saxophonist Styliani Tartsinis, who premiered and recorded the work.
About Alto Saxophone and Piano Chamber Music
The alto saxophone and piano duo is one of the most dynamic pairings in contemporary chamber music. Composers use this combination to explore lyrical writing, rhythmic energy, and the instrument’s wide palette of colors. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for recitals, competitions, and modern repertoire exploration of colors created through articulation, resonance, and extended techniques. These works contribute to the expanding contemporary repertoire for flute and harp, offering performers technically engaging and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Contemporary Repertoire for Alto Saxophone and Piano
This refined selection highlights the 10 most essential works for alto saxophone and piano, ranging from early 20th-century foundations to our days.
Paul Creston – Sonata, Op. 19 (1939)
One of the most frequently performed recital works, defining the mid-century American neoclassical sound with its "meter-as-measure" rhythmic complexity.
William Albright – Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1984)
A monumental polystylistic work featuring a haunting "La Follia" lament and a virtuosic bebop-infused finale.
David Maslanka – Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1988)
A massive, emotionally turbulent staple of the professional repertoire known for its extreme technical and expressive demands.
Edison Denisov – Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1970)
A landmark avant-garde composition that introduced serialism and innovative textures to the saxophone canon.
Takashi Yoshimatsu – Fuzzy Bird Sonata (1991)
A widely popular contemporary piece that masterfully integrates classical structure with jazz, folk, and avian-inspired elements.
Fernande Decruck – Sonata in C-sharp (1943)
A rediscovered French masterpiece that has recently ascended to "core repertoire" status for its Impressionistic colors and lyrical depth.
Lior Navok – Hidden Reflections (1996)
Composed in two movements, this evocative 15-minute work explores grotesque "march" rhythms and meditative, snowy textures through intricate dialogue.
Alfred Desenclos – Prélude, cadence et finale (1956)
A quintessential French conservatory work that remains a global benchmark for technical facility and idiomatic phrasing.
Ida Gotkovsky – Variations Pathétiques (1980)
An expansive, virtuosic work frequently used as a test piece in major international competitions.
Karalyn Schubring – Rise (2021)
A prominent new addition for 2026, gaining significant traction in the classical saxophone circuit for its rhythmic vitality and modern energy.