American composer
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How Charles Koechlin used the saxophone in Cole Porter’s ballet, Within the Quota
Earlier this week, I came across a ballet by Cole Porter, Within the Quota. When I wrote about it, I wasn’t sure whether or not it was orchestrated with a saxophone for it’s premiere in 1923. Since it was programmed with La Création du monde and orchestrated by Charles Koechlin, I had a hunch that…
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Discover Cole Porter’s forgotten ballet, “Within the Quota”
While researching works by William Bolcom and Darius Milhaud, I discovered an arrangement for band of Cole Porter’s (1891-1964) ballet, Within the Quota, published by Keiser Southern Music. Cole Porter wrote a ballet? Yes, turns out this ballet has a unique history, working both as a critique of nationalism, a celebration of immigrants, and creates…
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The publisher Edward B Marks Music Company is now in the database, home to Darius Milhaud and William Bolcom
As I keep searching, new works by notable composers get added to the database. The publisher Edward B Marks is home to American composer William Bolcom and includes Bolcom’s collaborations with Darius Milhaud. Milhaud’s output for this publisher is unique, as it includes new arrangements of existing operas and plays. The first work in this…
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The Jazz Problem: the shifting image of the saxophone in the 1920s
A couple of years ago, I picked up an old copy of The Etude from July of 1924. The editorial in that issue promised the next issue would be dedicated to jazz. I was one month too early. Luckily, the August 1924 issue is archived online. This issue is a great resource for jazz and…
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Duke Ellington’s lost opera, Queenie Pie is now in the database
In the 1930s, Duke Ellington started working on an opera about Madame C.J. Walker, the first African American woman millionaire. These sketches became the basis for the opera, Queenie Pie. Queenie, one of New York’s finest beauticians, is challenged by a rival, Cafe O’Lay a lighter skinned Creole. Cafe O’Lay sells skin-whitening concoctions to residents…
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Sidney Bechet’s ballet “La Nuit Est Une Sorcière” is now listed in the database
Soprano Saxophonist and New Orleans native Sidney Bechet (1897-1957) is now listed in the database. Bechet wrote the ballet, La Nuit Est Une Sorcière, while he was living in Paris in the 1950s. The ballet received mixed reviews when it premiered in 1953. The mixture of classical and jazz themes confused the audience. Even more…
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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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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…
the Operatic Saxophone 