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Last years, many baritone players asked me for advice on the repertoire for baritone saxophone. As it is impossible to know all repertoire (check out this post), I have a long list with the most interesting works in terms of pedagogy and interpretation that I studied or played once at least. Anyway, let your teachers or professors help you in choosing which of them are the most suitable to each of you.
In November and December 2020, I revised the posts “15 Intermediate Works for Baritone Saxophone”, “15 Advanced Works for Baritone Saxophone (1)” and “15 Advanced Works for Baritone Saxophone (2)” that I published on this blog between 2013 and 2015. I have updated them by removing all transcriptions, in order to promote of the original repertoire for the instrument, and including more recent pieces. As usual, I haven’t repeated any composers (although some of them have a large production for our instrument) in order to give a widest vision of styles and have also summarized the comments on each work.
Here is my list with the 15 Bachelor’s Level works for baritone saxophone solo, with piano, with electronics (hey, we are already living in the 21st Century!) and chamber music. Go, guys!
1) Baritone Saxophone Solo
GEOMETRÍAS 1 (2003), Antonio Velasco
Edicions Clivis, Barcelona (ESP). Around 6:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – Bb5
This work is very well structured and contains lots of technical elements of contemporary music.
Watch the video!
HENDIA (2002), Sixto Manuel Herrero Rodes
Rivera Editores, Valencia (ESP). Around 5:00 long.
Range (written): Bb2 – C#6
It is a very interesting piece to work on specific elements as multiphonics, voicing and articulations in addition to the intensity required for its performance.
Listen to the audio!
VIA (2013), Joan Magrané
Contact the composer (joan.magrane@yahoo.es). Around 10:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – F#5
The original version for baritone saxophone requires a good control of slaps and a kind of theatrical sense to recite the text included in the score when playing.
Listen to the audio!
DREAMLOVER (2017), Albena Petrovic-Vratchanska
Contact the composer (superalbalonga@gmail.com). Around 7:30 long.
Range (written): Bb2 – F5 (or the more treble as possible).
This work is also original for the use of the feet, very well integrated in the musical discourse, in addition to require a good control of effects as voicing and an expressive (even theatrical) interpretation.
Listen to the audio!
2) Baritone Saxophone and Electronics
CON CADENCIA DE ETERNIDAD (1989/2002), José Manuel López López
Contact the composer (mariasanchezlucas@gmail.com). Around 9:00 long. Tape.
Range (written): A2 – D5 (more treble with the multiphonics)
This is a great piece to work on many of extended techniques of the baritone saxophone. Furthermore, the electronics part is really surrounding.
Watch the video!
JACKDAW (1995/2004), Wayne Siegel
Contact the composer (www.waynesiegel.dk). 10:23 long. Tape.
Range (written): Bb2 – G5
Originally composed for Bass Clarinet, this work demands a detailed work of precision in articulations, agility in intervals and changes of registers and a not always easy coordination with the electronics part.
Listen to the audio!
PIMPIN’ (2007-08), Jacob Ter Veldhuis
Boombox Holland (NDL). 8:32 long. CD/Tape.
Range (written): A2 – E6
It is one of the most well-known and appreciated works from the original repertoire for baritone saxophone. This hectic funk is also very demanding in terms of techniques and interpretation.
Watch the video!
VA I VE (2010), Sergio Fidemraizer
Editions Bar&Co, Ambazac (FRA). 6:05 long. Tape.
Range (written): A#2 – E6
You will find several extended techniques in this intense and expressive work in addition to a touch of theatrical and fun elements.
Watch the video!
3) Baritone Saxophone and Piano
SONATA Op. 6 (ed. 1976), Garland Anderson
Southern Music Company, San Antonio (USA). Around 12:30 long.
Range (written): Bb2 – F5
It is a very good example of American modal neo-classical music, originally composed for baritone saxophone and piano.
TROIS POUR DEUX (1982), Jeanine Rueff
Editions Combre, Paris (FRA). Around 9:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – G5
It is a very fun work originally written for baritone saxophone with lots of rhythmical changes contrasted with lyrical melodies.
Watch the video!
SONATE (2010), François Blot
Editions Bar&Co, Ambazac (FRA). Around 11:00 long. Contemporary music.
Range (written): A2 – C#6
This is a very interesting original work for baritone saxophone and piano very demanding in terms of techniques and interpretation.
SONATA (2017), Gustavo Britos Zunín
Contact the composer (gjbritos@gmail.com). Around 12:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – C6
It is a very good example of post-romantic music, originally composed for baritone saxophone and piano.
4) Chamber Music with Baritone Saxophone
BLACK (2008/11), Marc Mellits
For two Baritone Saxophones (original for two Bass Clarinets)
Marc Mellits / Dacia Music (ASCAP). Around 5:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – A4 (1st baritone) / A2 (or A2) – F#4 (2nd baritone)
This is an explosive and fun work, composed in a minimal (or repetitive) style.
Watch the video!
FALW (1990), Patrice Sciortino
For Baritone Saxophone and Percussion (Cymbals, Temple Blocks, Toms: one player)
Éditions Alphonse Leduc, Paris (FRA). Around 7:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – F#5
This is an interesting duo, no too difficult but demanding in terms of coordination.
MEGADONT (2012), William Dougherty
For three Baritone Saxophones
Babel Scores. Around 8:00 long.
Range (written): D#3 – A#5 (1st, 2nd and 3rd baritones)
It is a very good example of spatial contemporary music with a very interesting touch of the timbers of the instrument.
Watch the video!
