Brandenburg Concerto No 3
J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
This is a demanding piece for saxophone ensemble, but worth the practice!
This arrangement is faithful to the original but contains a small cut in the
1st movement which makes it more appropriate for wind players.
(Grade 6-8)
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Chatterbox
Pauline Gordon
A funky saxophone octet composed by Pauline Gordon, with a driving baritone sax bass line. Lots of rhythmic interest interwoven through
the other lines. Good for counting! (Grade 5-8)
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Chug
Pauline Gordon
A fast blues-based one movement composition by Pauline Gordon
that just keeps ‘chugging along’. (Grade 5-8)
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Danse Macabre
Camille Saint-Saëns ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous ‘Danse Macabre’ by Camille Saint-Saëns. (Grade 5-8)
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Don Giovanni – Overture
W.A. Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
This is an arrangement of the famous overture to the opera
‘Don Giovanni’ by Mozart. It works especially well for
saxophone players and there is plenty of interest in all parts.
(Grades 6-8)
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Easy Does it
Melanie Thorne
A relaxed opening develops into some driving and exciting rhythmic
elements – fun for all sections. (Grade 6-8+)
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Farandole
Georges Bizet ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of one of Bizet’s best know compositions. This is a very satisfying piece to play and is particularly popular in concerts. (Grade 5-8)
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Festal Overture
Percy E Fletcher ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the organ piece ‘Festal Offertorium’ by Percy Fletcher. (Grade 5-6)
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Gartmore
Pauline Gordon
A Lively, syncopated composition with a Scottish feel to the music,
reflecting the time spent by the composer at the Gartmore
Saxophone course. Grade 6-8
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Gran Partita – Adagio
W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the ‘sublime’ Adagio from Mozart’s famous
‘Gran Partita’. (Grade 5-8)
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Gran Partita – Finale
W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the Finale from Mozart’s famous ‘Gran Partita’.
(Grade 6-8) [SSAATTBB]
Gran Partita – Minuet
W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the Minuet from Mozart’s famous ‘Gran Partita’.
(Grade 5-8)
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Il Signor Bruschino Overture
Gioacchino Rossini ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
This overture is from an early opera by Rossini. It is typical of Rossini’s
lighthearted yet energetic style. The original was forward-looking
with the instruction for the Second Violins to tap their bows on their
music stands. In this arrangement, the tapping is replaced with ‘key taps’. (Grade 5-8)
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In the Wake of the Wickerman
Melanie Thorne
A fusion of styles with inspiration taken from the diversity of SW
Scotland where ‘The Wickerman’ was filmed. (Grade 6-8+)
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La Cathédrale engloutie
Claude Debussy ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
‘La Cathédrale Engloutie’ is one of the preludes included in Debussy’s first volume of piano preludes published in 1910. There are many specific techniques that are required by pianists and these are replicated, as far as possible, by the different saxophones. The original requires a complete exploration of the entire range of the piano – this has been slightly reduced due to the ranges of the wind instruments, however, it is still very effective. (Grade 5-8)
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Ludwig’s 5th
Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A not-so irreverent arrangement of the 1st movement of Beethoven’s
5th Symphony. It is very recognizable with some rock-style sections
and an interesting baritone part. (Grade 6-8) See reviews.
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Post Sax Galop
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
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Post Sax Galop
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
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Post Sax Galop
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
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Red Cat
Pauline Gordon
A ‘cool swing’ composition by Pauline Gordon. Its feline characteristics
depict the unpredictable. As the composer says, where she lives
“the cats who come to pay a visit, eat some treats and stroll
nonchalantly off down the lane”. Grade 6-8
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Reely-around
Melanie Thorne
A Scottish influenced composition in true gaelic style with a mixture of rhythms and a rendition of ‘Hieland Laddie’ in the middle. (Grade 5-8)
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Run, Haggis, run!
Melanie Thorne
A two movement work exploiting the sonorities of the different
instruments. The second movement is a fast, quasi Gaelic
structure, with plenty of time changes to keep the players on the run!
(Grade 6-8)
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Sonnerie de Sainte-Geneviève du Mont de Paris
Marin Marais – Arranged by Melanie Thorne
‘The Bells of Sainte-Geneviève du Mont de Paris’ is a work by Marin
Marais written in 1723, originally for viol, violin and harpsichord with
basso continuo. The original is written as a passacaglia or chaconne.
This arrangement for saxophone octet is a slightly shortened version
of the original with rhythmic and melodic interest in all parts.
Considering this work is nearly 300 years old, this ensemble gives
the music a surprisingly contemporary sound. (Grade 6-8)
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St Paul’s Suite
Gustav Holst ~ Arranged by Elizabeth Drury
An arrangement of Holst’s complete suite by Elizabeth Drury.
This work consists of four movements with a duration of
approximately 16 minutes. (Grade 6-8+)
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Summertime
George Gershwin ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A different arrangement of this well-known song by George Gershwin –
it includes interesting parts for all instruments and is a popular
item for concerts. (Grade 6-8+)
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Symphony No. IV
William Boyce ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the very popular Symphony No. IV by
William Boyce. This is a very tuneful work and would be a
popular item for concerts. The key is compatible with the
Clarinet Choir arrangement. (Grade 5-7)
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Three Movements from the Capriol Suite
Peter Warlock ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
‘Basse Danse’, ‘Pieds-en-L’Air’ and ‘Mattachins’. (Grade 5-6)
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Two Allegrettos from Sinfonietta
Leos Janacek ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
The first and fourth movements from Janacek’s ‘Sinfonietta’ have been arranged here. They are the most popular movements from this work,
and suit this smaller ensemble. (Grade 6-8)
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