Gabriel Snchez

MUHI633 Fall 2017

Overview of the Project

This project will focus on the composer William Bolcom and two of his pieces that

feature the saxophone. His compositional style will be presented trough those two

contrasting works that show different sides of the composer.

In Lilith for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1984) Bolcom makes use of extended

techniques of the saxophone to get unusual timbres. By incorporating such techniques, he

depicts the stories associated with the character Lilith in various religions and cultures.

On the other hand, Concert-Suite for Alto Saxophone and Band (1998) is a more

traditional concerto which main purpose is to display the musicality and technique of the

soloist. This work show the influence of Darius Milhaud, one of Bolcoms main teachers

and mentors.

Goals

Promote William Bolcoms music, one the latest American leading composers. The

student will be able to know about his background, career, eclectic style, and broad

influences.

Give the students the necessary information and approach to understand

and analyze the compositions Lilith, and Concert-Suite By William Bolcom.

 Gabriel Snchez
MUHI633 Fall 2017
Lesson organization

First two short excerpts of contrasting compositions by Bolcom will be played: a

ragtime, and a symphony. After that, a lecture about important facts of the composers

life, career, and work will give the student the necessary background to analyze and

discuss his works.

Concert-Suite shows his more traditional composition style. The discussion will focus

on the use of folk elements, the analysis of the piece, and the influence of Darius Milhaud.

After that, extended techniques on the saxophone will be explained to the students

and we will discuss their importance. These techniques are extensively used by Bolcom in

Lilith.

Before listening to Lilith, details about the stories associated with the character will

be given to the student. After the listening an open discussion will take place, with some

interventions to guide the discussion into specific topics. In this work, the aural effect

achieved by the music will be as important in the discussion as a more technical analysis of

the composition itself.

 Gabriel Snchez
MUHI633 Fall 2017
Bibliography

Bolcom, William. Lilith for E-flat Saxophone and Piano. New York: Edward B. Marks Music

Company, 1989.

. Concert Suite for Eb Alto Saxophone and Band. New York: Edward B. Marks Music

Company, 1998.

Holland, Bernard. Composing a Kinship Between Classical and Pop. New York Times,

January 18, 1995. https://search.proquest.com/docview/109432243?accountid=8483.

Hunter, Laura Ellen. Exploring the Concert Saxophone Repertoire: William Bolcom's

Lilith. Saxophone Journal 12, no. 3 (1987):1823.

Hunter, Laura, and Brian Connelly. Alto Saxophone and Piano Recital: Duo Vivo. Crystal

Records CD651, 1989.

Kidd, Elizabeth Berry. The Lilith Myth: Its History, Psychology, and Role in Contemporary

Art Music as Portrayed in William Bolcoms Lilith for Alto Saxophone and Piano. The

Saxophone Symposium 24 (1999): 125.

Londeix, Jean-Marie. Hello! Mr. Sax: Parameters of the Saxophone. Translated by William

Street and Anna Street. Paris: Alphonse Leduc, 1989.

Loomis, George. William Bolcom. In A Composer's Insight: Thoughts, Analysis, and

Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band, edited by Thimothy

Salzman, 122. Vol. 5. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2012.

McAllister, Timothy. From the beginning Into the Future. The central Winds conducted by

Andrew Perry. Mark Records 52617-MCD, 2016.

 Gabriel Snchez
MUHI633 Fall 2017
McCutchan, Ann. William Bolcom. In The Muse That Sings: Composers Speak About the

Creative Process, 2331. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Wait, Mark. Meet the composer-pianist: William Bolcom. Piano quarterly 36, no. 142

(1988): 3340.