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Aug 3, 2024, 8:41:17 PM8/3/24

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Review: 25 Caprices and an Atonal Sonata: Unaccompanied Saxophone by Jeffrey Lerner

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding collection of solo saxophone pieces, you might want to check out 25 Caprices and an Atonal Sonata: Unaccompanied Saxophone by Jeffrey Lerner. This book contains 25 caprices and one atonal sonata composed by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, a German composer of the late 19th and early 20th century. The caprices cover a wide range of styles, techniques, and musical expressions, from lyrical melodies to virtuosic passages, from classical forms to modern harmonies. The atonal sonata is a four-movement work that explores the possibilities of the twelve-tone system in a saxophone solo context.

Jeffrey Lerner, a saxophonist and professor at the University of North Texas, has arranged these pieces for saxophone from the original versions for flute or clarinet. He has also provided helpful performance notes, fingering suggestions, and historical background on the composer and the pieces. The book is published by Southern Music Co. and has 48 pages of music notation.

This book is suitable for advanced saxophonists who want to expand their repertoire and improve their technique, musicality, and expression. The pieces are challenging but rewarding, and they offer a variety of musical experiences for both the performer and the listener. The book is also a valuable resource for saxophone teachers who want to introduce their students to some lesser-known but significant works by a composer who was influenced by Debussy, Reger, and Schoenberg.

You can find this book on Amazon[^1^] or Hal Leonard Online[^2^]. You can also read some reviews on Goodreads[^3^]. If you are looking for some new and exciting solo saxophone pieces, you might want to give 25 Caprices and an Atonal Sonata: Unaccompanied Saxophone by Jeffrey Lerner a try.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book is the contrast between the caprices and the sonata. The caprices are mostly tonal or modal, and they reflect the influence of Debussy and Reger on Karg-Elert's musical language. They are also influenced by the Romantic tradition of virtuosic etudes, such as those by Chopin and Liszt. The caprices showcase the expressive and technical capabilities of the saxophone, and they require a high level of control, flexibility, and agility from the performer.

The sonata, on the other hand, is atonal and uses the twelve-tone technique that was pioneered by Schoenberg and his followers. Karg-Elert was one of the first composers to adopt this method of composition, and he applied it to various instruments and genres. The sonata is a complex and challenging work that demands a deep understanding of the twelve-tone system and its implications for melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. The sonata also requires a great deal of concentration and endurance from the performer, as it is over 20 minutes long.

The book 25 Caprices and an Atonal Sonata: Unaccompanied Saxophone by Jeffrey Lerner is a remarkable collection of solo saxophone pieces that represent a unique and important part of the saxophone literature. The pieces are not only enjoyable to play and listen to, but they also offer a glimpse into the musical world of Karg-Elert, a composer who was ahead of his time and who experimented with various styles and techniques. The book is highly recommended for advanced saxophonists who want to challenge themselves and discover some hidden gems of the saxophone repertoire.