Suite for Saxophones

Suite for Saxophones

Igor Stravinsky

Saxophone Quintet SAATB

Suite for Saxophones based on piano music of Igor Stravinsky, arranged for saxophone quintet SAATB. Between 1915 and 1917, as an amusement for his two children, Stravinsky wrote a series of eight easy piano duets based on a variety of dance forms. These miniature compositions are outrageous, witty, and utterly charming. These short pieces are filled with unusual juxtapositions and surprising changes in rhythm and texture. If your group hasn’t played any modern music before, they make for an accessible introduction. There are examples of bi-tonality, creative use of dissonance, and something very like early minimalism here. And yet they manage to be amusing, tuneful, and fun for both the performers and the audience.

The Suite for Saxophones includes the following movements:

1. March, from Three Easy Pieces, 1915
2. Andante, from Five Easy Pieces, 1917
3. Balalaika, from Five Easy Pieces, 1917
4. Galop, from Five Easy Pieces, 1917

This arrangement is for SAATB Saxophone Quintet.

• The range for each saxophone part is shown below.
• Audio and score excerpts are available above.
• Watch a video of this piece on YouTube