States of Play, for Saxophone Quartet (2022)

For soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes. These brief movements can be thought of as character pieces on eight contrasting states of mind and/or reactions to circumstances, as suggested by the colloquial idioms of their titles. None of them are of overly deep significance, but are here rendered in the sorts of rich textures that suggest quirky conduct and an absorbed state of mind. A fairly consistent treatment of melody and harmony strive to bind all of these together: the underlying influence of the fully-diminished 7th chord. The occasional °7th chord does occur, but more important is the manifestation of the intervals of this chord in other relationships: bits of °7th chord arpeggio in melodies, diminished triads buried in other harmonies, key relationships by minor 3rds, augmented 4ths, and minor 6ths, and so on. Total playing time 20-22 minutes. $30 for score, parts, demo recording. Order here.

I. In the Groove – in a slow, propulsive funk style; high-spirited, ecstatic, carried-away-by-the-music. About 3:25.

II. In the Weeds – suggestive of panic, with so much chaos that it all threatens to crash and burn.  About 1:55.

III. In a Funk – mournful, reflective, occasionally sobbing; a deep regret at a profound loss.  About 3:45.

IV. In a Tizzy – a mix of concern, excitement, and distraction that requires clever improvisation to stay ahead of a situation (see: In the Weeds).  About 3:20.

V. In the Zone – a state of pleasurable concentration that fosters a period of exceptionally high functioning; zeroing in on the task at hand and ignoring all distraction (see: In the Groove).  About 2:35.

VI. In a Huff – a condition of exceptional anger or annoyance erupting suddenly.  About 1:05.

VII. In a Mellow Tone – self descriptive, with a nod to the Duke.  About 1:00, proceeds attacca to In High Cotton.

VIII. In High Cotton – a Southernism – current fortune is good, as when the cotton has grown.