Instrumental Solo,Saxophone - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1202307

Composed by Brandon Nelson. 20th Century,Chamber,Christian,Classical,Contemporary. Individual part. 11 pages. Brandon Nelson #800991. Published by Brandon Nelson (A0.1202307).

Dr. Brian Kauth assembled a consortium of saxophone players to commission me to write a piece in four 
movements, each to be for a different member of the saxophone family(soprano, alto, tenor, baritone). He 
chose the theme of the “four horsemen of the apocalypse� because, as he puts it, “the saxophone was long 
considered ‘the devil’s instrument’due to the seedy and sultry qualities associated with it.�

Program
The story of the Four Horsemen comes from the biblical Book of Revelation. Each of the Horsemen is said to 
represent events that are supposed to usher in the Apocalypse, the final battle between good and evil. As with 
many biblical passages, there are numerous interpretations of this account debated among theologians. Those 
that I’ve taken in thispiece are strictly based on my own aesthetic requirements and should not be construed 
as taking any particular sides in these spiritual debates.

The Four Horsemen symbolize the evils to come before the end of the world. It is said that a quarter of the 
world’s population is to be wiped out by a combination of these ills. The Horsemen pave the way for the final
battle, the final judgement, and the Second Coming.

The account begins with the White Horsemen, symbolizing pestilence. Next comes the Red Horse, 
representing war. Then the Black Horse, bringing widespread famine, especially against the poor of the world.
Finally, the Pallid Horse, the personification of Death, reaping his reward in the victims of the tribulations.

Performance Note
Each movement is assigned a different member of the saxophone family. Ideally it should be performed as 
such. However, if you do not have access to all four saxes, you may perform the movements on the sax or 
saxesof your choosing. The movements are written such that they will sound satisfactory on any of the saxes.