Programme Note

My saxophone concerto draws inspiration from architecture—not only from the designs of different cultures, but from the creative process itself. From the bold to the lyrical and the playful, the piece unfolds in three architecturally inspired movements:

I. Concrete Love
This is my love letter to the saxophone. Its large-scale form gives the feeling of standing before a soaring monument—bold and emotional, yet intimate at times. Two contrasting themes, one slow and one fast, are developed through variations across the movement. Though it reveals many personalities, it is constructed with a singular vision.

II. Courtyard
Slow with a gentle pulse, this music reminds me of sitting on an old bench in a lush courtyard—an oasis of green in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

III. Arcade
Arcade plays with its dual meanings here: strolling through a series of arches and columns—a Roman arcade—in a spirited chase; and, like an arcade game, the soloist and the ensemble engage in an energetic dialogue, shifting between cooperation and playful rivalry. Time to level up!

Concerto for Alto Saxophone was jointly commissioned by the universities of Michigan State, Arkansas, Arizona State, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana State, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas City, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas State, and Wisconsin.
©Zhou Tian