| It has become common practice among saxophonists to transcribe or arrange music that was originally composed for other instruments. The definition of a transcription is to change the instrument for which the work is written; no octave placements, notes, articulations, dynamic markings, etc. are altered. The definition of an arrangement is the transfer of a work between instruments with some changes in octave placements, articulations, dynamic markings, etc. with possible re-composition of sections to better suit the instrument the new instrumentation.;This paper will focus on two arrangements: Capriccio Fantastico sull'opera Rigoletto di Verdi, composed by Italian performer/composer Donato Lovreglio for flute and piano, arranged for soprano saxophone and piano; and Verklarte Nacht, Op. 4, composed by Arnold Schoenberg for string sextet, arranged for 11-part saxophone ensemble; and one transcription, Fantasia da Concerto su motivi di "La Traviata" de G. Verdi, also composed by Donato Lovreglio for clarinet and orchestra, transcribed for alto saxophone and orchestra or piano. For the arrangements, an examination of the adaptations to better suit the new instrumentation will be made. Transferring idiomatic techniques between instruments can often prove difficult and there are certain techniques on saxophone that will most effectively emulate the original intent of the composer. Additionally, providing the context of the techniques within these works will lead to a better recreation of these techniques and more convincing performances.;One of the reasons these works were selected was because of the necessity to utilize and incorporate the altissimo register in order to remain true to the composer's original intent. The arrangements and transcriptions generally approach the altissimo register using consonant intervals that can be audiated more easily for students than some of the saxophone's post-tonal standard repertoire. This particular technique is vital for the modern saxophonist and deserves special mention and attention. |
