The Concertino da camera for

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in E, smaller than the B tenor ...

and eleven instruments was written by

Jacques Ibert Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert (15 August 1890 – 5 February 1962) was a French composer of classical music. Having studied music from an early age, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire and won its top prize, the Prix de Rome at his first ...

in 1935. Ibert dedicated the work to saxophone pioneer

Sigurd Raschèr Sigurd Manfred Raschèr (pronounced 'Rah-sher') (15 May 190725 February 2001) was an American saxophonist born in Germany. He became an important figure in the development of the 20th century repertoire for the Classical music, classical saxopho ...

,Raschèr, S. Top Tones for the Saxophone, (1941) Carl Fischer, NY page 19 who premiered the first movement in 1935. Later that year, Ibert completed the second movement, which was performed for the first time in its entirety by Raschèr in December 1935. The work is in two movements; the first, ''Allegro con moto'', is lively and technically challenging and the second begins with a lyrical ''Larghetto,'' featuring soaring lines in the saxophone's upper register. A short

cadenza In music, a cadenza (from it, cadenza, link=no , meaning cadence; plural, ''cadenze'' ) is, generically, an improvisation, improvised or written-out ornament (music), ornamental passage (music), passage played or sung by a solo (music), sol ...

links to the movement's concluding ''Animato molto''. The concerto is distinctive for its large range requiring the use of the saxophone's top-tones. The accompanying ensemble consists of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, two violins, viola, cello, and double bass. The piece shares similarities with his concerto for flute.

References

Ibert Compositions for chamber orchestra Saxophone concertos Compositions by Jacques Ibert 1935 compositions {{concerto-stub