FOUR WINDS for Saxophone Orchestra

Four Winds describes in a musical way four famous European Winds, orchestrated for full saxophone orchestra ranging from sopranino saxophone to bass and/or contrabass saxophone, with 2 optional percussion parts.

Duration: 13 minutes

Each of the four movements pictures one of the four cardinal directions. In many countries winds are blowing that are so characteristic en definable for the local climate, that they were give a name from the locals.

The first movement - Scirocco - is a southern wind, transporting not only hot air and sand from the Sahara Desert, but also eastern sounds. The music has an oriental character due to the slow tempo, irregular beat, the used harmonics and the accompaniment by djembe and tambourine. It pictures a caravan of camels that travels through the desert to make a halt in an oasis, where Arab horses are trotting and a party is celebrated. After a short cadenza by the contrabass saxophone the caravan moves on into the desesert.

The second movement - Tramontana - pictures a strong northern wind, bringing cold air. The music is a quick presto with canonic and fugatic elements. It starts as a little breeze but it develops into a thunderstorm

The third movement - Zephyr - In Greek mythology, the Zephyr is a sultry west wind that makes a sunny summer day even warmer. The part starts with a languid theme with a lilting melody in the soprano saxophone. A sudden gust of wind threatens to disrupt the warm weather and brings unrest to the atmosphere. But soon the wind dies down again. The alto saxophone theme is now answered by the tenor sax and together they bring the day to a beautiful end.

The fourth and final movement focuses on the Bora. This east wind in the Balkans mainly brings a lot of dancing and singing. Two swirling rhythmic dances frame a simple children's song in the middle section.

Dedicated to Erik-Jan de With, in his memory.

The set contains a full score and all parts.