Mary Huntimer
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Contemporary Music Centre-Ireland works are now the database, and new ways to search
The publisher Centermporary Music Centre Ireland works are now listed in the database. Contemporary Music Centre publishes the works of Irish composers. Historically, the arts were not as well funded in Ireland, so there are only a few works in the database for opera and ballet. The earliest work listed for an Irish composer is…
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William Grant Still is now in the Database
Composer William Grant Still (1895-1978), long considered “Dean of African-American Classical Composers” is now listed in the database. Still is known for inserting African-American folk songs and spirituals into his compositions. Two ballets are listed in the database, 1937’s Lenox Avenue and 1941’s Miss Sally’s Party. In Lenox Avenue, Still called for 3 saxophonists, Alto, Alto/Bari,…
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The Saxophone and Ondes Martenot at the 1937 World Exposition
The World’s Exposition in Paris in 1937, initially intended to recreate the successful Expositions of the past (i.e. the Eiffel Tower’s construction for the 1889 Exposition to demonstrate the power of steel), ended up as prelude to war. Each nation built pavilions along the River Seine, but rather than showcasing technological achievement, these pavilions became…
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Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, now streaming on Operavision
Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 masterpiece, Romeo and Juliet, is now streaming on Operavision. This new production is from the Polish National Ballet. It will be streaming until 8/16/21. Romeo and Juliet has a well known tenor saxophone solo, you can hear it in at minute 26:35 during the “Montagues and Capulets” scene, one of it’s most…
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Duke Ellington is now in the Database
Pianist, composer, and leader of one of the finest big bands in the 20th century, Duke Ellington (1899-1974) is now listed in the database. Ellington’s expressive, energetic, and dance like music makes him a go-to source for choreographers to create new and unique ballets. The choreographer Alvin Ailey, who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance…
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Is this the first American Ballet to feature the saxophone?
Digging into American repertoire leads me to new and unique pieces. Skyscrapers (1926) by John Alden Carpenter is a ballet every saxophonist should acquaint themselves with. Here’s the unique story on how Skyscrapers: A Ballet of Modern American Life came to be. John Alden Carpenter (1876-1951) wrote Skyscrapers in 1923-24. His friendship with Sergey Prokofiev…
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Wynton Marsalis is now listed in the database
Composer, Trumpeter, and the leader of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis is now listed in the database. Wynton Marsalis has collaborated with several ballet and dance companies, most notably the New York City Ballet and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In total, Marsalis composed six ballets listed in the database. One of…
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Anthony Braxton’s Trillium operas are now listed in the database
Saxophonist, composer, improviser, and an early member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, Anthony Braxton is now listed in the database. His works are performed and recorded through his organization, Tri-Centric Foundation. The three works listed in this database are operas from his Trillium Cycle. The Trillium Cycle is a work in…
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Gehrmans ballets are now listed in the database
Gehrmans, a music publisher in Sweden is now listed in the database. What I find fascinating as I’m discovering stage works is how early the saxophone is added to the orchestration. Today I present you with the first Swedish ballet that uses the saxophone. Date: 1916-23 Ballet: Bergakungen op. 37a (The Mountain King) by Hugo…
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Boosey and Hawkes Ballets are now listed in the database
Boosey and Hawkes, the publisher for some of best known stage works from the 20th century is now listed in the database. Works by American composers like Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Marc Blitzstein, Ned Rorem, and John Adams can be found in the saxophone database. Other notable composers in the Boosey and Hawkes catalog are…
the Operatic Saxophone 