A performance, rehearsal guide and examination of selected Japanese works for saxophone and marimba from the perspective of a saxophonist

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Jia-Yu Yang (Creator)

Institution

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )

Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Advisor

Steven Stusek

Abstract: This document will discuss three selected Japanese works for saxophone and marimba: Akira Yuyama’s Divertimento (1968), Maki Ishii’s Alternation I (1984), and Sho Oie’s Rhapsody (2018). Akira Yuyama’s Divertimento was the first piece written for saxophone and marimba. Since it was commissioned by the legendary Japanese percussionist Keiko Abe, who is famous for her “six-mallet” playing, this piece was discussed among percussionists in their journals and books; however, there is a lack of discussion of this piece from a saxophonist’s viewpoint. Maki Ishii’s Alternation I is also an early piece written for saxophone and marimba; this piece examines “controlled improvision.” This piece also plays a part in the history of developing works for newly-established chamber group of saxophone and marimba. Nevertheless, this piece only has a limited number of recordings. Sho Oie’s Rhapsody is the latest piece written for saxophone and marimba by a Japanese composer. Oie incorporates many Japanese traditional music elements and extended saxophone techniques in his piece, making me believe that his Rhapsody will significantly contribute to developing repertoire for this chamber group. Only four recordings of this piece exist. My intention is to conduct interviews with Sho Oie and Shishuo Cui, who is the first saxophonist to record this piece, to have a deeper understand about their biography and his compositional approach and musical traits of this piece. The discussion of these three Japanese pieces will provide references and suggestions for saxophone players who also want to prepare and perform these works with percussionists. In this document, I will include an introduction that illustrates the need for the study, a story of the events leading up to the study, a review of the role of the saxophone in chamber music, and the methods used to conduct the study. For each composition, there will be a chapter containing a biography of the composer, an analysis, and suggestions for performance preparation. The recording of each piece with my duet partner Amy Xin Yin will be provided as a video/audio reference for this paper. In the following discussion, I compare these three Japanese pieces from the perspective of (1) history, (2) saxophone technique, and (3) Japanese aesthetic.

A performance, rehearsal guide and examination of selected Japanese works for saxophone and marimba from the perspective of a saxophonist
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Created on 5/1/2024
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Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2024

Keywords

Akira Yuyama, Chamber music, Japanese composer, Maki Ishii, Saxophone and Marimba duet, Sho Oie

Subjects

Yuyama, Akira, $d 1932- $t Divertimento, $m saxophone, marimba $x Criticism and interpretation

Ishii, Maki $t Alternation, $n no. 1 $x Criticism and interpretation

Oie, Sho, $t Rhapsody $x criticism and interpretation

Saxophone and marimba music $x Analysis, appreciation

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