THE SAXOPHONE SONATA IN TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICA: CHRONOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELECT REPERTOIRE

Abstract

The first documented American saxophone sonata was composed in 1928. From then until 2000, the genre experienced remarkable growth and development that mirrored many of the significant trends of century music. This dissertation traces the development of the sonata through a series of three recitals divided chronologically: 1928-1960 encompassing the sonata’s beginnings, 1960-1980 documenting the growth of the genre, and 1980-2000 covering the continued growth and diversification of the sonata in America. The works performed were selected from the one hundred and sixty six American saxophone sonatas documented in Jean-Marie Londeix’s A Comprehensive Guide To The Saxophone Repertoire:1844-2003. Program notes are furnished for each recital to summarize the musical content of each work, provide a biographical sketch of each composer and convey why it is a significant work in the repertoire.