An analysis of Alfred Desencloss Quatuor pour saxophones, I

Abstract

The purpose of this research project is to provide performers with a detailed analysis of the first movement of Alfred Desencloss Quatour pour Saxophones. This study illustrates the intricacies of the piece, which will enhance the performance of this movement by providing the performers with a deeper understanding of how the movement is organized. It is difficult to find a detailed analysis of a work for saxophone or saxophone quartet. Most analyses of pieces for the saxophone only examine a few musical elements, they are generally not a comprehensive examination of the work. A detailed description of the composers life, history of the piece, form, melodic organization, pitch organization, and rhythm are presented in this analysis. The study will conclude with a performance application of the results of the analysis in order to yield a more informed and nuanced performance of the movement. Desenclos was a meticulous composer who was very interested in coherence. He used twentieth century compositional techniques, but he still included some traditional musical elements. This piece is not tonal because it does not have a traditional key center; nevertheless, Desenclos used some traditional harmonic progressions, bass motion, and harmonies. He is organizing the musical material through the repetition of intervallic content, themes, motives, and rhythms. This project is needed to help performers, and to promote the music of Desenclos. He was an accomplished composer who held a prominent teaching positions in France. However, there is not much information about Desenclos or his compositions in scholarly literature. This is surprising because his saxophone pieces are frequently performed and recorded.