Premiered by ~Nois (Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan Lulloff, Julian Velasco) Chicago, IL on 25 April 2024. A preview of the premiere was given by ~Nois (Hunter Bockes, János Csontos, Jordan Lulloff, Julian Velasco) Chicago, IL on 1 October 2023
Commissioned by ~Nois
Duration: 9 minutes
*ALTERNATE INSTRUMENTATIONS COULD INCORPORATE THESE INSTRUMENTS:
Soprano saxophone part: RANGE: Bb3 to Bb6 – can be played on FLUTE: Three Bb3 notes should be played up one octave
Alto saxophone part: RANGE: D3 to C6 – can be played on CLARINET in Bb
Tenor saxophone part: RANGE: Ab2 to Eb5 – can be played on BASSOON
Baritone saxophone part: RANGE: Db2 to F#4 – can be played on BASSOON
Music for me is an embrace of the world, a way to open myself to being alive in the world -- in my body, in my sounds, and in my mind. I care deeply about musicality, imagination, craft, clarity, dimensionality, an elegant balance between material and form, and empathy with the performing musicians as well as everyone who works in the presenting organizations.
Collaborating with ~Nois is a treasured and an exhilarating experience. I am ever grateful to the many extraordinary colleagues who made our partnership possible.
Across SHAKESPEARE’S JESTERS 9-minute duration, the composition unfolds a labyrinth of musical interrelationships and connections that showcase the musicians in a virtuosic display of rhythmic agility, counterpoint, skill, energy, dynamic range, timbre, clarity, and majesty. Throughout the kaleidoscopic journey, the work passes through many lively and colorful episodes, never losing its sense of dance, caprice, and effervescence.
SHAKESPEARE’S JESTERS falls loosely into three arcs played without a pause. The opening three minutes is an exposition of animated materials with rhythmic vitality featuring contrapuntal hockets that ping-pong between players. Following are three contrapuntal phrases (lasting respectively 60, 120, and 90 seconds) throughout which the musical ingredients are further transformed and elaborated. The final 120 seconds, a mischievous caper, is a still further transfiguration of the Jester’s activities.
Commissioned by ~Nois the world premiere took place Premiered by on 25 April 2024 Chicago, IL. SHAKESPEARE’S JESTERS is dedicated with admiration and gratitude to ~Nois.
On a concert program, the composition should be listed as:
Shakespeare's Jesters for Saxophone Quartet (2023) Augusta Read Thomas (1964)
To obtain examination or performance material for this
Augusta Read Thomas work, please contact Nimbus Music Publishing.
Return to Chamber Music