Description

Concerto Agrariana is the second work by composer John Cheetham written especially for saxophonist Kenneth Tse. The first, Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, was written in 2001 and premiered by Mr. Tse at the NASA Biennial Conference at the University of North Texas in 2002. Mr. Tse has subsequently recorded the work on the Crystal Label.

Concerto Agrariana pays tribute to the rugged determination and inherent resourcefulness of the pioneers who settled the rural Midwest during the early 19th century. The composer has attempted to represent musically what painters like Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton portrayed visually. Folk-like melodies and harmonies, often diatonic or modal, give the piece an “American ruralist” character. This quality is further enhanced by punctuated rhythms that are sometimes asymmetric and unpredictable. The versatile saxophone with its inherent ability to “sing” offers an ideal instrument with which to express these ideas.

In this piece, the traditional three-movement concerto has been forsaken for a four-movement form. Although the first three movements are similar in their structural design (a tri-partite musical form), they vary considerably in character and mood.

Movement I is based on a simple triadic first theme followed by a second, more lyrical theme. The wide-ranged thematic idea presented at the beginning of Movement II leads to a second folk-like theme in 5/8 meter. Movement III is a scherzando, providing a playful contrast to the solemnity of the second movement. The finale is a sprightly rondo featuring another cadenza and concludes with a spirited coda section.

The work was made possible by funding from a University of Iowa Arts and Humanities Initiative Grant.

 

This version is a piano reduction of the original band score, arranged by the composer.

Duration: 16:10
Grade: VI
Publisher: BoonesLick