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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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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Pauline Gordon

A fast blues-based one movement composition by Pauline Gordon

that just keeps ‘chugging along’. (Grade 5-8)

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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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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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Melanie Thorne

A relaxed opening develops into some driving and exciting rhythmic

elements – fun for all sections. (Grade 6-8+)

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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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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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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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W,A, Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

The first movement of Mozart’s Gran Partita K361, opens with a slow introduction, but the rhythmic complexities of the score create a sense of anticipation of the following Allegro.  This was originally scored for 13 wind instruments, and the suitably contrasting timbres of the saxophone choir, provide an exciting alternative to the original.  (Grade 7-8+)
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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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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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W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the Finale from Mozart’s famous ‘Gran Partita’.

(Grade 6-8) [SSAATTBB]

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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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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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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 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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Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)

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Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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George Butterworth ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

This is an arrangement of the famous orchestral Rhapsody by George Butterworth.  The original work was based on a folk song collected at Billingshurst in Sussex in 1907, and the Rhapsody was composed between 1911-1913, just prior to the First World War, when Butterworth was killed in action in 1916.  This saxophone arrangement gives the instruments solo opportunities, yet the fuller textures reveal more complex harmonies, which are well-suited to these instruments.  (Grade 7-8)

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Peter Warlock ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

‘Basse Danse’, ‘Pieds-en-L’Air’ and ‘Mattachins’. (Grade 5-6)

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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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