SaxoBrain

Third year

Sonata in C sharp minor

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Composed
1943
Instrumentation
Alto Saxophone, Piano
Competition lists
2022 Saxiana Competition, 2021 Josip Nochta International Saxophone Competition

The Sonata in C-sharp minor for alto saxophone (or viola) is Decruck’s most well-known work. Decruck created two versions of her world famous sonata, one with saxophone or viola and piano, the other with full orchestral accompaniment. The latter version is rarely heard. Decruck combines the Classical sonata form with impressionistic harmony and at times, polytonality. Decruck dedicated this work to Marcel Mule, the world renowned French saxophonist. Although Mule had countless compositions written for him in his lifetime, he took the time to record the Fileuse movement of the Sonata. Fileuse (“spinning”) features the saxophonist performing virtuosic passage works and takes the traditional place of the Scherzo. — fernandedecruck.com

Recordings

More by Fernande Decruck