Music for Harp and Alto Saxophone #02 followed #01 about one year later, in 1972. Internationally renowned harpist Gail Barber premiered this and an extensive work for solo harp Texas Tech University as part of the (then) university's International Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Land Studies (ICASALS) major music festival around 1973. Ms. Barber had encouraged me to compose #02 and the solo work.

The pairing of harp and saxophone is not common. Audiences tend to think of the saxophone as a jazz instrument only (at least in America), and often are not aware of its use in concert halls by French and Russian composers. If played as a fluid orchestral instrument the saxophone (especially the alto) offers an extensive palette from very fluid to very contrasty for expressiveness unlike what is commonly heard outside the "classical" arena. With repeated hearings, this combination truly grows on the listener and performer, in large part by the very nature of its contrast, whereas the more common pairing with flute readily wears thin.

For decades I had favoured #01, and frankly did not really care as much for this piece. However, recently I have had another look at the work and, with a few minor tweaks and enhancements to timing, articulations, harmonies, and transitions, have made it a work I am pleased to include in this online catalog.

Music for Harp and Alto Saxophone #02 is set in an "olden style." It is built around a few themes which, as with many of my works, freely evolve with developing variations—more as a "romance." #01 has a somewhat "French" characteristic, and this one, #02, flirts with a "romantic Russian" flavor, and although it is more conventional sounding than #01, it does have some interesting harmonic and rhythmic treatments and permutations.

In its original form, it was politely received at the premiere. #01 always is the audience pleaser, regardless of the setting and program, appealing to a broad spectrum of music lovers and aficionados. This version will likely find favour and will pair well with #01 on the same program. #02 offers greater challenges from a technical aspect and thus might appeal to the performer more.

Harpists should adjust tempi to match the technical demands with their ability.

Music for Harp and Alto Saxophone #02 will play well with piano substitution whereas #01 is better suited for the harp, though both were written for it.

Vanessa McClintock
January 2023