Small Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Drum Set,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.734611 Composed by Eliot Daniel. Arranged by Dennis Ruello. Contemporary. Score and parts. 10 pages. Chicory Music #6669321. Published by Chicory Music (A0.734611). On October 15, 1951, the very first episode of the I Love Lucy show aired on CBS and became the most watched TV show in the U.S. for four of its seven-year run. Fun trivia about the opening theme song is that during the first season the show opened with their sponsor Philip Morris’ animation of stick figure cartoons of Lucy and Desi climbing down a pack of Philip Morris cigarettes. It was scored with Ferde Grofé’s Jr. The Grand Canyon Suite theme (a composition from 1931).From the second season onwards, the I Love Lucy signature tune we all know so well became the main theme, and one of the most recognizable pieces of music on the planet. It was written by composer Eliot Daniel who cranked it out in an afternoon as a favor to his old Coast Guard buddy Jess Oppenheimer, the show’s producer. Since Daniel still had another year under his exclusive contract to Fox, he asked Oppenheimer to keep his name out of it. Consequently his name does not appear on first or the second season TV credits for what became one of the most popular TV themes. Later, Daniel did seek credit and received royalties from syndicated reruns for the rest of his life.The lyrics were written by Harold Adamson for an episode in the third season in which Lucy believes everyone has forgotten her birthday. So of course Ricky saves the day after a near disaster. This arrangement for sax quartet (SATB) plus optional Acoustic Bass and Drum Set parts remains faithful to the original.The Soprano Sax part may be played by clarinet if no soprano sax player or instrument is available.Performance Time Approx. 1 minute 25 seconds

Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1092464 Composed by Francesco Durante. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Baroque,Instructional,Sacred. 8 pages. Regis Bookshar #696556. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.1092464). Kyrie - by Francesco Durante; 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 a Saxophone Quartet, consisting of 2 Alto Saxophones, 1 Tenor Saxophone and 1 Baritone Saxophone. 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 a 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.

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.

Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1092467 Composed by Francesco Durante. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Baroque,Instructional,Sacred. 8 pages. Regis Bookshar #696560. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.1092467). Kyrie - by Francesco Durante; 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 a Saxophone Quartet, consisting of 2 Alto Saxophones and 2 Tenor Saxophones. 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 a 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.

Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 3 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1092461 Composed by Francesco Durante. Arranged by Regis Bookshar. Baroque,Instructional,Sacred. 8 pages. Regis Bookshar #696553. Published by Regis Bookshar (A0.1092461). Kyrie - by Francesco Durante; 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 a Saxophone Quartet, consisting of 1 Soprano Saxophone, 1 Alto Saxophone, 1 Tenor Saxophone and 1 Baritone Saxophone. 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 a 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.

Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 2 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1250802 By T. Graham Brown. By Bruce Burch, T. Graham Brown, and Ted Hewitt. Arranged by Jeff Tincher. Christian,Country. 13 pages. Jeff Tincher #845067. Published by Jeff Tincher (A0.1250802). I first heard this song on an episode of Larry's Country Diner and fell in love with the song. I really love songs that take a common phrase or idea and turn it around to mean something else. This is a ballad about a drunkin' husband that has had enough and asks God to help him get rid of the bottle. In the original key from T. Graham Brown's Freah Take project. Duration = 3:49. Visit my websites: https://jefftincher.wixsite.com/sheetmusic, https://jefftincher.wixsite.com/music, https://www.facebook.com/jefftincherpublishing/.

Saxophone Quartet,Woodwind Ensemble Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.1151823 Composed by Frank Loesser. Arranged by James Pybus. Christmas,Holiday,Pop,Standards. 9 pages. James Pybus #752026. Published by James Pybus (A0.1151823). What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? is a popular song written in 1947 by Frank Loesser as an independent song. It was first recorded by Margaret Whiting in 1947 and first charted for The Orioles, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard's Best-Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues chart in December 1949. Although it is typically performed in December, that was not the composer's intent. In A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls in His Life, his daughter Susan Loesser explains that the singer, madly in love, is making a (possibly rash) commitment far into the future. (Maybe it's much too early in the game. Ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same – What are you doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?) It always annoyed my father when the song was sung during the holidays. This SATB Saxophone Quartet arrangement begins with a quote from Dvorak's New World Symphony before proceeding into the rarely included verse of the song and ends with a quote from the popular song Auld Lang Syne written by Robert Burns, which is often heard on New Year's Eve. The saxophone quartet sound is sure to engage audiences in the spirit and sentiment of the song itself. The duration is 4:21. Contact me at james.pybus56@gmail.com.

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.532734 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Paul Wehage. Baroque. 21 pages. Musik Fabrik Music Publishing #1917. Published by Musik Fabrik Music Publishing (A0.532734). The Aria with 30 variations which form the work which is known as the « Goldberg » variations is one of the greatest works of Bach. It is his only work which uses the form of variations and through three series of ten variations each, it explores a myriad of musical genres and styles. The initial Aria, which seems to be rather trite and banal at the beginning of the work, is magnified through these transformations and the da capo at the end brings us back to the beginning, which has been changed by the musical journey itself. As a sort of musical « initiation », it has become a work which sparks the imagination and which creates an atmosphere all it’s own. The story of how the work came to be written has to come to us through Bach’s first biographer, Johann Nikolaus Forkel in 1805, seventy-five years after the death of Bach. It would seem that a certain Count Keyserlingk, the Russian Ambassador to the Court of Dresden, had difficulty sleeping and asked Bach to compose a work which his protégé, a harpsichord virtuoso by the name of Goldberg, could play in a salon near his bedroom to help him sleep in the evening. For this commission, Bach was to receive the largest fee of his life, a hundred louis d’or in a golden goblet. It would seem that this story is perhaps more of a legend than anything else, as no goblet was found in Bach’s estate at the end of his life and no documented proof of this story has been found. Goldberg was indeed a student of C. P. E Bach, Bach’s son and the son might have asked his father to write these works for his brilliant student. No manuscript for the Goldberg Variations exists, only a first edition corrected in the hand of Bach which contains certain tempo indications and other markings. The first edition also carried the following title: « Clavierübung, consisting of an Aria with diverse variations for the Harpsichord with two manuals composed for music lovers to refresh their spirits by J. S. Bach ». In this version for Saxophone Quartet, it is important to remember that Bach was writing for the harpsichord and not for the Piano-forte. Bach did indeed know of the Piano-forte and played one of the first instruments produced, but it would seem that he did not care much for this new instrument. To find something akin to the precise, clearly defined attacks of the harpsichord, precise articulation and clarity of sound must be the first priority. In general, even in the slowest movements, the attacks must take precedent over all other elements of performance. If the need for clarity of line and precision of attack is respected, the inherent musicality contained in the work should be evident, even in this new form.. As Bach himself transcribed many of his own works and those of others, I would like to hope that he would find this question to be interesting and the results to be surprising...

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.532735 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Paul Wehage. Baroque,Standards. 24 pages. Musik Fabrik Music Publishing #1921. Published by Musik Fabrik Music Publishing (A0.532735). The Aria with 30 variations which form the work which is known as the « Goldberg » variations is one of the greatest works of Bach. It is his only work which uses the form of variations and through three series of ten variations each, it explores a myriad of musical genres and styles. The initial Aria, which seems to be rather trite and banal at the beginning of the work, is magnified through these transformations and the da capo at the end brings us back to the beginning, which has been changed by the musical journey itself. As a sort of musical « initiation », it has become a work which sparks the imagination and which creates an atmosphere all it’s own. The story of how the work came to be written has to come to us through Bach’s first biographer, Johann Nikolaus Forkel in 1805, seventy-five years after the death of Bach. It would seem that a certain Count Keyserlingk, the Russian Ambassador to the Court of Dresden, had difficulty sleeping and asked Bach to compose a work which his protégé, a harpsichord virtuoso by the name of Goldberg, could play in a salon near his bedroom to help him sleep in the evening. For this commission, Bach was to receive the largest fee of his life, a hundred louis d’or in a golden goblet. It would seem that this story is perhaps more of a legend than anything else, as no goblet was found in Bach’s estate at the end of his life and no documented proof of this story has been found. Goldberg was indeed a student of C. P. E Bach, Bach’s son and the son might have asked his father to write these works for his brilliant student. No manuscript for the Goldberg Variations exists, only a first edition corrected in the hand of Bach which contains certain tempo indications and other markings. The first edition also carried the following title: « Clavierübung, consisting of an Aria with diverse variations for the Harpsichord with two manuals composed for music lovers to refresh their spirits by J. S. Bach ». In this version for Saxophone Quartet, it is important to remember that Bach was writing for the harpsichord and not for the Piano-forte. Bach did indeed know of the Piano-forte and played one of the first instruments produced, but it would seem that he did not care much for this new instrument. To find something akin to the precise, clearly defined attacks of the harpsichord, precise articulation and clarity of sound must be the first priority. In general, even in the slowest movements, the attacks must take precedent over all other elements of performance. If the need for clarity of line and precision of attack is respected, the inherent musicality contained in the work should be evident, even in this new form.. As Bach himself transcribed many of his own works and those of others, I would like to hope that he would find this question to be interesting and the results to be surprising...

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.532736 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Paul Wehage. Baroque,Standards. 21 pages. Musik Fabrik Music Publishing #1923. Published by Musik Fabrik Music Publishing (A0.532736). The Aria with 30 variations which form the work which is known as the « Goldberg » variations is one of the greatest works of Bach. It is his only work which uses the form of variations and through three series of ten variations each, it explores a myriad of musical genres and styles. The initial Aria, which seems to be rather trite and banal at the beginning of the work, is magnified through these transformations and the da capo at the end brings us back to the beginning, which has been changed by the musical journey itself. As a sort of musical « initiation », it has become a work which sparks the imagination and which creates an atmosphere all it’s own. The story of how the work came to be written has to come to us through Bach’s first biographer, Johann Nikolaus Forkel in 1805, seventy-five years after the death of Bach. It would seem that a certain Count Keyserlingk, the Russian Ambassador to the Court of Dresden, had difficulty sleeping and asked Bach to compose a work which his protégé, a harpsichord virtuoso by the name of Goldberg, could play in a salon near his bedroom to help him sleep in the evening. For this commission, Bach was to receive the largest fee of his life, a hundred louis d’or in a golden goblet. It would seem that this story is perhaps more of a legend than anything else, as no goblet was found in Bach’s estate at the end of his life and no documented proof of this story has been found. Goldberg was indeed a student of C. P. E Bach, Bach’s son and the son might have asked his father to write these works for his brilliant student. No manuscript for the Goldberg Variations exists, only a first edition corrected in the hand of Bach which contains certain tempo indications and other markings. The first edition also carried the following title: « Clavierübung, consisting of an Aria with diverse variations for the Harpsichord with two manuals composed for music lovers to refresh their spirits by J. S. Bach ». In this version for Saxophone Quartet, it is important to remember that Bach was writing for the harpsichord and not for the Piano-forte. Bach did indeed know of the Piano-forte and played one of the first instruments produced, but it would seem that he did not care much for this new instrument. To find something akin to the precise, clearly defined attacks of the harpsichord, precise articulation and clarity of sound must be the first priority. In general, even in the slowest movements, the attacks must take precedent over all other elements of performance. If the need for clarity of line and precision of attack is respected, the inherent musicality contained in the work should be evident, even in this new form.. As Bach himself transcribed many of his own works and those of others, I would like to hope that he would find this question to be interesting and the results to be surprising...

Woodwind Ensemble,Woodwind Quartet Alto Saxophone,Baritone Saxophone,Soprano Saxophone,Tenor Saxophone - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.532733 Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by Paul Wehage. Baroque. 22 pages. Musik Fabrik Music Publishing #1919. Published by Musik Fabrik Music Publishing (A0.532733). The Aria with 30 variations which form the work which is known as the « Goldberg » variations is one of the greatest works of Bach. It is his only work which uses the form of variations and through three series of ten variations each, it explores a myriad of musical genres and styles. The initial Aria, which seems to be rather trite and banal at the beginning of the work, is magnified through these transformations and the da capo at the end brings us back to the beginning, which has been changed by the musical journey itself. As a sort of musical « initiation », it has become a work which sparks the imagination and which creates an atmosphere all it’s own. The story of how the work came to be written has to come to us through Bach’s first biographer, Johann Nikolaus Forkel in 1805, seventy-five years after the death of Bach. It would seem that a certain Count Keyserlingk, the Russian Ambassador to the Court of Dresden, had difficulty sleeping and asked Bach to compose a work which his protégé, a harpsichord virtuoso by the name of Goldberg, could play in a salon near his bedroom to help him sleep in the evening. For this commission, Bach was to receive the largest fee of his life, a hundred louis d’or in a golden goblet. It would seem that this story is perhaps more of a legend than anything else, as no goblet was found in Bach’s estate at the end of his life and no documented proof of this story has been found. Goldberg was indeed a student of C. P. E Bach, Bach’s son and the son might have asked his father to write these works for his brilliant student. No manuscript for the Goldberg Variations exists, only a first edition corrected in the hand of Bach which contains certain tempo indications and other markings. The first edition also carried the following title: « Clavierübung, consisting of an Aria with diverse variations for the Harpsichord with two manuals composed for music lovers to refresh their spirits by J. S. Bach ». In this version for Saxophone Quartet, it is important to remember that Bach was writing for the harpsichord and not for the Piano-forte. Bach did indeed know of the Piano-forte and played one of the first instruments produced, but it would seem that he did not care much for this new instrument. To find something akin to the precise, clearly defined attacks of the harpsichord, precise articulation and clarity of sound must be the first priority. In general, even in the slowest movements, the attacks must take precedent over all other elements of performance. If the need for clarity of line and precision of attack is respected, the inherent musicality contained in the work should be evident, even in this new form.. As Bach himself transcribed many of his own works and those of others, I would like to hope that he would find this question to be interesting and the results to be surprising...