Canonic Suite for four alto saxophones.

Elliot Carter (December 11, 1908 – November 5, 2012) is one of the most influential American voices in classical music, and a leading figure of modernism in the 20th and 21st centuries. Hailed as “America’s great musical poet” by Andrew Porter and noted as “one of America’s most distinguished creative artists in any field” by his friend Aaron Copland. Carter wrote more than 150 pieces, ranging from chamber music to orchestral works to opera, often marked with a sense of wit and humour. Born in New York City, Elliott Carter was encouraged towards a career in classical music by his friend and mentor Charles Ives. While attending Harvard University he studied under composers Walter Piston and Gustav Holst, and later traveled to Paris, studying with Nadia Boulanger. Following his studies in France he returned to New York and devoted his time to composing and teaching, holding posts at St. John’s College, the Peabody Conservatory, Yale University, Cornell University, and The Juilliard School, among others.

The Canonic Suite for quartet of alto saxophones is a revision, made in 1981, of the Suite For Quartet of Alto Saxophones. It was awarded a prize in 1945 by Broadcast Music, Inc. and was first published that year. Movements: The Fanfare is a canon in four parts at the unison; the Nocturne is a four-part canon in inversion (saxophone 2), retrograde (saxophone 3), and retrograde – inversion (saxophone 4); the Tarantella is a four-part canon at the second above.

The Project

The aim of this project is to produce a recording of a saxophone quartet work with musicality, nuance and cohesion. This project can be done in person or remotely online. Elements such as dynamics and the use of articulations; coming to a common agreement and interpretation; working together to blend sounds, and composer intentions will be considered. At the end of the project the participants receive a recording of the final performance.