World Premiere: October 22, 2018
FreeSax Quartet:
Sax Soprano: Fernando Rosas, Sax Alto: Brenda Vivar,
Sax Tenor: Alitzel Pacheco, Sax Barítono: Enrique López
Festival Aires Nacionales 2018.
Facultad de Música de la UNAM. Sala Xochipili
Ciudad de México, México
(2018)
Saxophone Quartet [A,S,T,B]
The piece was composed to express a thought that has always led me to reflection: the idea that humanity has always sought to dominate the four elements but has never truly succeeded. We have managed to control them to a certain extent, allowing us to evolve as the dominant species on the planet. In the different movements of this piece, I attempt to reflect this concept through sounds and techniques that the performer can master but never fully control on their instrument, symbolizing the relationship between humanity and the elements.
The movements are structured as follows:
I. Earth: This movement is characterized by a rhythmic-melodic motif that gives strength to the ensemble's color, with varied melodies that, at one point, create a chaotic counterpoint between the four saxophones, before returning to the rhythmic motif for the finale.
II. Water: This section combines sounds with extended techniques known as multiphonics, which dominate throughout the movement. For me, these sounds evoke places where water lies still. In the middle of the piece, these sounds build up into a dense chaos, aiming to represent the powerful force of water when agitated.
III. Fire: In this movement, I attempt to create a sound that evokes a ritualistic call, similar to those used by various cultures. It represents the aggressiveness of fire and the challenge of controlling it. Once again, in the middle section, I employ extended techniques called slap to mimic the random crackling sound that burning charcoal produces.
IV. Wind: Here, I use a distinct rhythmic element that conveys the swiftness often associated with wind. This is developed throughout the movement and features a unique technique called air-tone, where the performer produces an airy sound on the instrument over a note without generating a fully pitched tone, evoking the sound of wind.
