In recent months, I have worked on, premiered and discovered some pieces for baritone saxophone that I have found interesting for students of Intermediate, Bachelor and Masters degrees as well as baritone saxophone players who want to go further with their repertoire.
As usual, I haven’t repeated any composer in order to show a wider number of people who are writing for the baritone saxophone. However, I realized that there are some of them who have composed more than one important work for our instrument. I will include them next time.
For now, this is my new selection for different levels of baritonists, according to this classification:
- Academy: high school level baritonists
- Advanced: bachelor level baritonists
- Artist: master level/professional baritonists
Let’s go!
1) Baritone Saxophone Solo
BARITNOK (2012/13), Paulo Bastos
Level: ACADEMY/ADVANCED
AvA Music Editions. Around 7:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – A5
It is a very rhythmic work with lots of slaps (they sound like the pizzicato Bartók in strings). Although the title is a combination between Bartók and baritone, other music influences (from some jazz saxophone players) are easily recognisable.
Watch the video
DAL PROFONDO (1992), Ada Gentile
Level: ADVANCED
Ricordi Editions. Around 9:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – Bb5
This work has become one of the “classics” of the repertoire for baritone saxophone. It is a demanding piece in terms of articulations, fast excerpts and very soft dynamics.
Watch the video
ECLIPSE (1982), Jesús Villa Rojo
Level: ACADEMY/ADVANCED
Editorial de Música Española Contemporánea. Around 7:00 long.
Range (written): Eb3 – the highest possible
Originally composed for any saxophone, it contains lots of extended techniques even suitable for the baritone. I love this kind of contemplative music.
Listen to the audio
FANTAISIE ET DANSE (1995), Ryo Noda
Level: ADVANCED
Alphonse Leduc. Around 6:00 long.
Range (written): Bb2 (opt. A2) – C6 (opt.)
I like contemporary music based on traditional music. Although this work could not be in principle suitable for a baritone saxophone, since the shakuhachi is not such a low instrument, it’s worth working on this piece.
Listen to the audio
>>> Click here to find out more
FLUXUS (2011), Luis Rizo-Salom
Level: ARTIST
Babel Scores. Around 5:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – F(3/4)5
This is a very physical work. All kind of air sounds and voice have a very important role in the first part. Slaps and key sounds give a percussive character to the second part. It is a very interesting work.
Watch the video
NUN ZIRADE (2007), Isabel Urrutia
Level: ADVANCED
Babel Scores. Around 7:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – F#5
This work is based on traditional Basque tune “Nun Zirade”. Its melodics and rhythmics motives combined produce an unstable pulse emphasized with the use of different dynamics and articulations.
PIERROT I ARLEQUÍ (2016), Miquel Pardo-Llungarriu
Level: ADVANCED/ARTIST
Contact the composer (mpardollungarriu@hotmail.com). Around 10:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – the highest possible
The two movements of the work describe very well the character of each clown: Pierrot, the sad, melancholic and fallen in love with the Moon, and Harlequin, the cunning, grumpy and troublemaker.
Watch the video
>>> Click here to find out more
2) Baritone Saxophone and Electronics
CHOKE (2004), Anna Clyne
TAPE
Level: ADVANCED
Boosey & Hawkes. Around 9:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – the highest possible
The saxophone part contains several sound elements that blend the electronics very well. It is a very appealing and interesting piece.
Listen to the audio
PAR-DELÀ DES EAUX PROFONDES (2010), Jeffrey Michael Harrington
TAPE
Level: ADVANCED
Jeffrey Michael Harrington on IMSLP. 10:45 long.
Range (written): B2 – F#5
The saxophone part is predominantly melodic, clearly based in the minimal music. The electronics creates an almost hypnotic atmosphere.
Listen to the audio
L’ULTIMA STELLA DANZÒ SPEGNENDOSI NEL FLUIDO VUOTO (2023), Mauro Porro
TAPE
Level: ADVANCED/ARTIST
Contact the composer (mauro.porro@alice.it). 9:15 long.
Range (written): A#2 – B5
This work is very demanding in technical elements as very fast excerpts, tonguing and sound control and intonation in the altissimo register. You will need to play with expressive energy.
3) Baritone Saxophone and Piano
EL ÚLTIMO TREN (2010), Rubén Caballero Ortega
Level: ADVANCED/ARTIST
Ediciones Artsyntax. Around 8:30 long.
Range (written): A2 – C6
This is a bright (almost virtuoso) piece for baritone saxophone. There are also versions for string orchestra and saxophone ensemble. You will enjoy!
Watch the video
SONATA FOR BARITONE SAXOPHONE AND PIANO (2006), Andys Skordis
Level: ADVANCED
Contact the composer (andyssko@gmail.com). Around 17:00 long.
Range (written): A2 – E5
This work has a bright and energetic character, especially in its 1st and 3rd movements. The 2nd is calm and meditative. It is a consistent piece to work well on chamber music.
4) Chamber Music with Baritone Saxophone
JOKE (2007), Alexandros Markeas
For TWO BARITONE SAXOPHONES (or BARITONE SAXOPHONE and BASS CLARINET)
Level: ADVANCED/ARTIST
Contact the composer (https://www.alexandros-markeas.com/). Around 11:00 long.
Range (written): A#2 – D6 or the highest possible (1st baritone) / A2 – G5 or the highest possible (2nd baritone)
This is a really good piece for working on the essential elements of chamber music. Technically, it is very demanding but you will have fun a lot.
Listen to the audio
TRIO (2006), Pedro Pardo
For FLUTE, CLARINET and BARITONE SAXOPHONE (or other instruments)
Level: ACADEMY/ADVANCED
Contact the composer (ppardob@gmail.com). Around 7:00 long.
Range (written): C3 – F5 (baritone saxophone)
Originally composed for flute, clarinet and baritone saxophone, it is also possible to play with other instrumental combinations. This piece is very expressive and bright.
UMWELT (2023), Gheorghi Arnaoudov
For SOPRANO VOICE, BARITONE SAXOPHONE and PIANO
Level: ACADEMY/ADVANCED
Contact the composer (garnaoudov@gmail.com). Around 12:00 long.
Range (written): Bb2 – B4 (baritone saxophone)
This work is based on the homonymous poem by Bulgarian poet and novelist Iana Boukova. Baritone saxophone acts a support for the voice and as an independent instrument with a very marked rhythmic character. I love to play music by composers committed to their time.
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Joan Martí-Frasquier
Barcelona, December 2024
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FIND OUT MORE REPERTOIRE:
- 15 Academy Profession Level Works for Baritone Saxophone (click here)
- 15 Bachelor Level Works for Baritone Saxophone (click here)
- 15 Masters Level Works for Baritone Saxophone (click here)
- 15 More Works for Baritone Saxophone (1) – (click here)
