Peterson-Concerto for Saxophone and Percussion Orchestra (SP)2V/

Constructed in three movements, this is an outstanding concerto that features a sax soloist with accompaniment by 12 percussionists and piano. Very active mallet parts, as well as 4 multi-percussion set-ups and one timpanist in conjunction with piano, weave wonderful textures under busy sax melodies.

In the first movement, the main theme is introduced by the marimbas and builds in intensity to a powerful entrance of the solo saxophone. The saxophone takes a variation of this theme over a repetitive figure in the marimbas, influenced by the music of Steve Reich. This theme is brought back again, this time in a complex meter of 7/8 and 5/8. After a short percussion break the music of the introduction returns to end the movement.

Movement two begins and ends as a freely played duet between the vibraphone and saxophone. The simple chord progression used in this movement is a wonderful vehicle for the solo saxophone to play expressive melodies.

The third movement is a blazing, high energy finale which unleashes the full potential of the saxophone's technical and expressive powers. Influenced by combinations of Spanish modes and heavy-metal rock-n-roll, the movement is brought to a huge climax with the saxophone screaming over the percussion ensemble's powerful explosions. The Coda continues to gain momentum, driving the Concerto to an exhilarating culmination.

Number of Players: 13
Difficulty: Grade 5
Instrumentation:

Player I: Crotales, Snare Drum, Large Gong, Crash Cymbal, Guiro, Flat Gong, Chimes

Player II: Sus. Cym. Chimes, Glock Crash Cymbal, Large Gong, Flat Gong, Triangle

Player III: Vibraphone

Player IV: Vibraphone

Player V: Marimba

Player VI: Marimba

Player VII: Marimba

Player VIII: Marimba

Player IX: Bass Marimba

Player X: Alto Sax

Player XI: Toms, Wind Chimes, Roto-Toms, Temple Blocks, Sus. Cym

Player XII: Bass Drum, Timbales, 5 Brake Drums

Player XIII: Timpani

RUSSELL PETERSON An accomplished classical/jazz saxophonist, bassoonist and composer, Russell Peterson holds degrees from Youngstown State University (Ohio), Le Conservatoire de Bordeaux (France), and Bowling Green State University (Ohio), where he studied with Dr. James Umble, Donald Byo, Jean-Marie Londeix, Dr. Jeffery Lyman and Dr. John Sampen. Winner of numerous prizes, including the top prize at the International Geneva Saxophone Concours, (Switzerland), and first place winner of the MTNA National Music Competition, Mr. Peterson has soloed with orchestras in the United States as well as Europe, including the Dana Chamber Orchestra, (USA), Concordia Orchestra, (USA), Bowling Green Philharmonic, (USA), L'Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, (Switzerland), Collegium Musicum, Basel (Switzerland), The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra (USA), The Western New York Chamber Orchestra (USA), and The St. Petersburg Philharmonic, (Russia).