This is a gallery of Jonah Seigler's academic works.
Jonah Seigler In Senior Recital Program Notes
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 | Performances
Jonah Seigler, Saxophone
Dr. Sung-Soo Cho, Piano
In Senior Recital, Performance Date: May 1, 2022
Black for Two Baritone Saxophones (2008), Marc Mellits (b. 1966) ; Jason Grubenhoff, Baritone Saxophone
Prelude, Cadence et Finale (1956), Alfred Desenclos (1912-1971)
Harlem Nocturne (1939), Earle Hagen (1919-2008)
“Alpine” Sonata for Soprano Saxophone, Op. 37 (1993), Lawson Lunde (1935-2019)
Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Op. 109 (1934), Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Program Notes:
Black (2008) was originally composed for two amplified, all black bass clarinets, and was written for the
virtuoso duo, “Sqwonk.” The two parts weave tightly woven patterns together, creating a fabric of
music that has complete integration. The rhythm encases minimalism at its finest, as many sections are
repeated with little to no variation. However, the momentum of the rhythm directed the work forward,
as Mellits describes a black (w)hole.
Prelude, Cadence et Finale (1956)
Alfred Desenclos is a French composer who won the Prix de Rome in 1942. Prélude, Cadence et Finale
is a piece for alto saxophone and piano written as a Paris Conservatoire Contest piece. Dedicated to
Marcel Mule, the famous French saxophonist, Prélude, Cadence et Finale is divided into three parts. It
presents compositional techniques characteristic of the Impressionist period. Prélude, the first section,
introduces recurring rhythmic passages and develops themes that will reappear throughout the piece.
The second section, Cadence, corresponds to a dynamic cadenza before launching into the Finale. The
Finale is quite dramatic and uses some of the elements that previously appeared in the piece.
Harlem Nocturne (1939)
"Harlem Nocturne" is a jazz standard written in 1939 by Earle Hagen (music) and Dick Rogers (lyrics)
for the Ray Noble orchestra, of which they were members. The piece was chosen by the big-band
leader Randy Brooks the next year as his theme song. I had not heard this work until this past year
when we had read it in jazz ensemble at Midwestern State University. After that, I fell in love with the
piece.
“Alpine” Sonata, Op. 37 (1993)
Lawson Lunde, an American composer and pianist, appeared at age fourteen with the Chicago
Symphony, and later studied composition with Vittorio Rieti and Robert Delaney. Lunde originally
wrote the first movement for flute. It was performed in that form at an informal concert at the Alpine
Resort in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Eventually, it was revised it for soprano saxophone and added the
finale in 1970.
Concerto, Op. 109 (1934)
Alexander Glazunov, the son of a publisher and a pianist, did not receive conservatory training, but
was a gifted musician. He gained the attention of Rimsky-Korsakov, Debussy, Faure and many others.
He was eventually appointed as the Directorate of the Imperial Russian Music Society in 1905. Events
from the Russian Revolution as well as WWI caused some decrease in the amount of works he was able
to produce and publish. During this time, his main focus was writing Concerto, Op.109 for Sigurd
Rascher.
