Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1092502 Composed by Francesco Durante. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Baroque,Instructional,Sacred. 8 pages. Regis Bookshar #696526. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.1092502). Kyrie - by Francesco Durante; Alto Saxophone Quartet – Intermediate – Digital Download. “Kyrie”, originally written for a four-part vocal ensemble by Francesco Durante, has now been transcribed, edited and arranged by Regis Bookshar, for an Alto Saxophone Quartet. It would be a welcomed addition to any music library. This short composition, which lasts less than two minutes, will provide many students with the opportunity to practice breath control because of its long phrases, and to help them to continue to develop good intonation because many of the phrases cadence on a unison note. This selection could be performed for concerts, recitals and church services. It is suitable for high school and college students but professional musicians would also enjoy playing this selection. Included are a score and a complete set of parts (8 pages). This selection is one of the many arrangements from the Regis Bookshar Trumpet Ensemble’s extensive music library which are being made available for the first time. We have performed the Trumpet Quartet version of this composition for many church services, especially funerals, when we were asked to supply something more somber and introspective rather than the louder, more festive music which many people come to expect from a Trumpet Ensemble. Francesco Durante was an Italian composer who was born on March 31, 1684 at Frattamaggiore, in the Kingdom of Naples. At an early age he entered the Conservatorio dei poveri di Gesu Cristo, in Naples, where he received lessons from Gaetano Greco. Later he became a pupil of Alessandro Scarlatti at the Conservatorio di Sant’Onofrio. He is said to have succeeded Scarlatti in 1725 at Sant’Onofrio and to have remained there until 1742, when he succeeded Nicola Porpora as head of the Conservatorio di Santa Maria de Loreto, also in Naples. He held this post for thirteen years, until his death on September 30, 1755. His fame as a teacher was considerable, and, unlike his Neapolitan contemporaries, who attracted international notice with their operas, Francesco Durante achieved recognition through his church music, along with some vocal chamber and instrumental works. His concern was not quantity. A complete collection of Durante’s works, consisting almost exclusively of sacred music, was presented by Gaspare Selveggi, a Neapolitan art collector and music theorist, to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. The imperial library of Vienna also preserves a valuable collection of Durante’s manuscripts. The fact that Durante never composed for the stage brought him an exaggerated reputation as a composer of sacred music. He was considered one of the best church composers of his style and period. In his masses, requiems, litanies and Lamentations, he could provide strong expressive moments, as he does in this “Kyrie”. In addition to this arrangement for an Alto Saxophone Quartet, Regis Bookshar has also made other arrangements of this selection. There are Quartets readily available for a wide variety of instrumental ensembles. Please take the time to look for other versions of this composition. You may find something else that may also suit your needs. I would also encourage you to search for other arrangements by Regis Bookshar, as well, as there are numerous arrangements in a variety of styles, also available for purchase. You may find something else which might interest you. Please continue to check periodically because new arrangements are being added as often as possible. I’m certain that this beautiful arrangement of Francesco Durante’s “Kyrie” will continue to entertain both performers and audiences alike for years to come.
