W.Fr.Bach-Sonata F-dur,2p.Larghetto espressivo

Fr.Poulenc Concerto d-moll I

Cloud song

Twilight

Gyroscope

During the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in the United Kingdom, I found myself unable to compose anything for some time. Trying desperately to avoid being the author of "compost" destined for a posthumous pile of decomposing false-starts, I eventually made a series of improvisations which were captured as audio recordings. 

It was the slow and moody 19th improvisation that engendered the contemplative saxophone solo, an unwilling return to the self, set in the amber of lockdown, against the pin-drop atmosphere of deserted evenings, with the sultry dissonance of jazz opening and contracting like the sash windows of its confined language.

The main composing was complete by June 2020. The piece was not easy to retrospectively notate due to the need to preserve the natural improvisatory feel. 

The resultant piece is dark but soulful and strives to be more than the original improvisation; the pitches themselves being carefully chosen and meant, allowing the alto sax to expansively lead the language.

The piece was later fine-tuned in close collaboration with the saxophonist from the Royal College of Music who made this recording.

The piece has a duration of approximately 9 minutes.

Programme note: Andrew March. September 2024

Solitude

Anthems recorded live at the Candlemas carol service at All Saints' Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford on Sunday 31st January 2016

Baptism of Christ. Words from ‘Common Worship’; Music: Andrew March

Sonatina in 7&5. Radio 3. Rarescale

This work for bass clarinet and string quartet was commissioned by clarinetist Bruce Belton, who premiered the work at the Golden Gate Players Chamber Music Festival in 2017.

Sheet music available from Alea Publishing: http://www.bassclarinet.org/alea/ALEA1178.html

Dan Pinkston: All That Remains

Renewing the Myth, for alto saxophone and piano, by Marilyn Shrude

Andrew March was the winner of the first Masterprize International Composing Competition in 1998 with his orchestral piece Marine - à travers les arbres. He was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in November 1973. In 1992 he was accepted at the Royal College of Music to study composition with Jeremy Dale Roberts, graduating in 1996.

Solitude

AndrewMarchComposer

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