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 Academy Profession Level works for Baritone Saxophone solo, with piano and with electronics (hey, we are already living in the 21st Century!). Go, guys!
1) Baritone Saxophone Solo
MAKNONGAN (1976), Giacinto Scelsi
Editions Salabert (1986), Paris (FRA). Around 4:00 long.
Range (written): E3 – F#4
This work composed for any low instrument is a great piece to introduce oneself to the contemporary music. In addition, the score is not very difficult technically at all.
Watch the video!
EL SUR (1997), Adolf Ventas
No edited. Around 9:30 long.
Range (written): C3 – A5
This is one of the most important works for solo saxophone by Spanish pioneer of the saxophone and also composer and arranger Adolf Ventas. Its three movements are very different characters.
Listen to the audio!
SOLITUDINI (2012), Enric Riu
Contact the composer (enricriu@yahoo.es). Around 4:00 long.
Range (written): Bb2 – Db5
Originally composed for baritone saxophone, this short and intense work contains lots of advanced techniques of the instrument. Pay attention to the pppp in the low register!
Listen to the audio!
SIX SHORT PIECES (2014), Greg Bartholomew
Burke & Bagley, Seattle (USA). Around 6:30 long.
Range (written): A2 – B5 (optional C6)
It is a very good example of modal neo-classical music.
ONE MORE LAST TIME (2015), Nick Russoniello
Contact the composer (https://www.nickrussoniello.com.au/store). Around 4:30 long.
Range (written): A2 – E5
Although FOX is probably his most famous work for baritone saxophone, this one is also interesting and more suitable to this level.
Watch the video!
2) Baritone Saxophone and Piano
FANTAISIE, OP. 60 (ca. 1858), Jean-Baptiste Singelée
Roncorp Publications, Inc. (USA). Around 3:30 long.
Range (written): C3 – Bb4
One of the very first original works baritone saxophone and piano, ever. Indispensable.
Watch the video!
FANTAISIE ORIGINALE POUR SAXOPHONE BARYTON ET PIANO (1877), Louis Mayeur
Gallica Editions. Around 4:00 long.
Range (written): B2 – Eb5
Another original work from the historic repertoire. It is a brilliant classical-romantic chamber music.
PRELUDE ET DIVERTISSEMENT, Robert Clérisse
Éditions Gérard Billaudot, Paris (FRA). Around 3:30 long.
Range (written): C#3 – D5
Although this work is not specifically composed for the baritone, it is perfect to work on the articulations.
ROMANCE (1988), Cesar Giovannini
Southern Music Company, Texas (USA). Around 4:30 long.
Range (written): E3 – D5
This work is perfect to work on the musical expressivity and richness timber of the baritone saxophone.
CANTO MÍSTICO (2006), Santiago Báez
Contact the composer (santibaez1982@hotmail.com). Around 3:30 long.
Range (written): C4 – D#5
Originally written for the baritone, this lyrical work is perfect to introduce to the repertoire with piano.
PA’L BARI (2008), Fernando Lerman
Contact the composer (ferlerman@gmail.com). Around 5:00 long.
Range (written): A2 (optional) – F#5
This original work for baritone saxophone is brilliant and technically exigent.
Watch the video!
3) Baritone Saxophone and Electronics
ALAS DE SEDA (1996), Juan Manuel Cortés
Contact the composer (jmcortes2@movistar.es). Around 6:00 long. Tape.
Range (written): C3 – F#5
This work is good both as an introduction to the work with electronics and to practice the changes of extreme saxophones (baritone on the 1st and 3rd movement and soprano on the 2nd and 4th), as well.
18 (2009), Joan Arnau Pàmies
Editions Bar&Co, Ambazac (FRA). 7:20 long. Tape.
Range (written): Db3 – C5
It is the ideal work to start working with electronics to improvise with the timbers of the instrument as well.
Listen to the audio!
AIRE (2009), Andrés Lewin-Richter
Periferia Sheet Music. 9:12 long. Tape.
Range (written): Bb2 – G5
A nice work to play with electronics.
SHEROW MUSTERY BAR (2011), Xavier Parlant
Self-edited (xavier.parlant@laposte.net). 4:40 long. Tape.
Range (written): A2 – B5
Not all the music with for baritone saxophone and electronics has to be contemporary-experimental. This disco-pop piece will make you dance when playing!
Watch the video!
