Foreign

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solo saxophone
1993
4 minutes

performed by Barry Cockcroft

Foreign was composed after my first study trip to France in 1992-93. I was exposed to contemporary saxophone music for the first time and as is often the case, I was influenced by the music that I heard. The idea of the piece was to include some contemporary elements that I had come in contact with. I find that improvising and composition are an excellent way for me to gain insight into various types of music. The piece explores colour, mostly based around variations on the F# and as is often the case in my music, the piece is in distinct sections. This piece has no transitions from one section to the next which is something that I began to use after this. I have always enjoyed the extremes of the saxophone and the altissimo, circular breathing and dynamic contrast all seek to extend both the saxophonist and the listener.