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,Continue reading “William Grant Still is now in the Database”
Tag Archives: ballet
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 mostContinue reading “Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, now streaming on Operavision”
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 DanceContinue reading “Duke Ellington is now in the Database”
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 HugoContinue reading “Gehrmans ballets are now listed in the database”
Database hits 700 entries! New ballets from Faber Music and Dilia
The Database now has over 700 entries of ballets and operas that include the saxophone in the orchestration. Here are today’s entries. Faber Music is a London based publisher that focuses on English language stage works. In the saxophone database, the earliest work from Faber Music is Benjamin Britten’s 1940 Paul Bunyan. Other composers listedContinue reading “Database hits 700 entries! New ballets from Faber Music and Dilia”
The Music of Fred Ho is now listed in the database
Saxophonist, author, composer, band leader, and social activist Fred Ho (1957-2014) is now listed in the database. Ho’s inclusion showcases some of the challenges that I encounter while compiling this database. Ho as a composer and instrumentalist exist outside of the traditional opera and ballet world. His music is not listed on any of theContinue reading “The Music of Fred Ho is now listed in the database”
New Ballets from Ricordi and the frustrations of building this database
I just finished inputting ballets from Ricordi.com. Ricordi includes the publishers Salabert, Durand, Forberg, and Eschig. More importantly, these publishers are responsible for publishing a substantial number of Romantic works. When it comes to finding works for the saxophone published in the 1800s and into the 20th century, this is one of the first placesContinue reading “New Ballets from Ricordi and the frustrations of building this database”
New Ballets to Check Out
I just finished searching Universal Edition and they have some unique and beloved ballets. Here’s a few highlights. Date: 1921-22 Ballet: Skating Rink, by Arthur Honegger Alto Saxophone Date: 1927 Ballet: Ballet-Music, by Zoltán Kodály Alto Saxophone Date: 1928 Ballet: Baby in der Bar, by Wihelm Grosz Alto/Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor/Baritone Saxophone 1950-54 Ballet:Continue reading “New Ballets to Check Out”
New Ballets in the Database
Here’s some notable ballets added to the database today. See if any of your favorites are in the database. Date: 1936 Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, by Sergey Prokofiev Tenor Saxophone Date: 1876 Sylvia, by Léo Delibes Alto Saxophone Date: 1983 Ulysses, by John Harbison Soprano Saxophone Date: 1983 Glass Pieces, by Philip Glass 2Continue reading “New Ballets in the Database”
The Opera Database is expanding to include Ballets
Currently, I’m updating the opera database to include ballets that use the saxophone. As I add new works, I’ll highlight some of my findings. Here’s what I found today. Date: 1935 Le Chevalier Errant, by Jacques Ibert Alto Saxophone Date: 1910 La Fête Chez Thérèse, by Reynaldo Hahn Alto Saxophone Date: 1942 Gayaneh, by AramContinue reading “The Opera Database is expanding to include Ballets”
the Operatic Saxophone 