Tantrum

Tantrum, for alto saxophone and piano, has the formal structure of a traditional sonata, but its connection with the historical form stops there. The first movement obsesses continuously on a four note figure (introduced immediately following an extended slow introduction). Lost, the second movement, actually began as a piece for voice and piano; it subsequently lost its text, and the saxophone sings forlornly in its place. The third movement takes a quirky bit of music and modulates it up an interval of a perfect fourth every chance it gets. This high energy piece presents a playful challenge for both the saxophonist and pianist. -S.G.