Paul Creston

Sonata for saxophone and piano, op. 19

Paul Creston was born in New York in 1906 of Italian parentage. He was entirely self-taught, with the exception of piano
lessons, and he studied theory, composition, literature and philosophy in order to support himself and his family. Creston
developed his style independently of any teacher, often shifting subdivisions or changing regular meters. He created works
in many genres, including five symphonies, concertos for violin, piano, saxophone and marimba, several dance works,
songs, choral, chamber and instrumental pieces. Creston was influenced by Debussy, Ravel, Bach and Scarlatti, and often
wrote for more unusual instruments, such as the trombone, marimba, or featured here, the saxophone.

Creston's Sonata for saxophone and piano is an early work, composed in 1939, not long after Creston actually committed
himself to a career writing music, for which he quickly gained recognition, winning a Guggenheim Fellowship.

The sonata is written for E flat Alto saxophone, and is written in three movements – ‘With Vigour’, ‘With Tranquility’, and
ending on ‘With Gaiety’. The English titles to the movements are used by a handful of American composers in the 1930’s
and 40’s, rather than the traditional Italian.

Movement 1 – ‘With vigor’ is appropriately filled with lively rhythms; short, pointed gestures are balanced against long
legato lines, both built using Creston’s rich chromatic harmonies. The second movement – ‘With Tranquility,’ is in the style
of an instrumental song in, 5/4 time, while "With gaiety," the D major finale, is crisp and decisive.