On November 10, 2019, I performed Paul Creston's saxophone concerto with the Carnegie Mellon University Wind Ensemble as the winner of their 2018 Concerto Competition.
I always love to present the music of American composers, especially those who never get the attention they deserve (except, of course, from us saxophonists, who play him to death).
Creston's music is notoriously chromatic and syncopated, yet the composer's choice to avoid changing key signatures and time signatures renders his rather accessible music quite difficult to read.
With only 2 weeks to slap the whole program together (which also included daunting works by Ginastera and Previn by the way!), CMU's band gave an impressive performance.
I love working with Professor Story at the podium; his sharp ear and remarkable efficiency always make things run smoothly!
