ALTO SAXOPHONE CONCERTO “COCKTAIL CONCERTO”
Program Note
One of life’s greatest joys is to enjoy an occasional well-made cocktail, so it’s not surprising that classic cocktails figure prominently in some of the world’s greatest films, whether as quotes in iconic scenes or even as the titles of the movies. Many of these quotes, titles, and drink names are delightfully colorful and evocative, so they provide the perfect point of departure for each movement of my Alto Saxophone Concerto.
In the film Goldfinger, James Bond (aka 007) specifies that he likes his gin martinis “shaken, not stirred.” The first movement, Shaken, No Stirred, uses this famous James Bond phrase as both the title and a musical jumping-off point, aiming for the excitement of a movie thriller. The second movement, Cosmopolitan, feels like walking through a foggy city at night and takes its name from the vodka-based signature drink enjoyed by the main characters in the New York-based movie and TV series Sex and the City. The relaxed, chill, film-noir-ish vibe of this movement is reminiscent of a rainy urban city at night, with hints of bright color, similar to the namesake drink. The jazz-infused third movement, Some Like It Hot, draws inspiration from the movie of the same name, starring Marilyn Monroe, which, coincidentally, features a saxophone player named Joe, played by Tony Curtis. In this film, the cocktail enjoyed by Marilyn Monroe’s character, Sugar Kane, and the rest of the all-female band is a Manhattan. The fast-paced last movement, Practical Magic, takes its cue from the film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, in which a coven of witches enjoys midnight margaritas. In a more literal sense, magic is conveyed through stereotypically magical sounds in the orchestra, embodied by glissandi in the strings, winds, and harp, and sparkly, fairy-dust-like bell sounds in the percussion section.
Alto Saxophone Concerto, “Cocktail Concerto” was commissioned by Christopher Creviston.
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Movements should be listed in programs as follows:
I. Shaken, Not Stirred
II. Cosmopolitan
III. Some Like It Hot
IV. Practical Magic
World Premiere Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Aram Aram Demirjian, Music Director & Conductor Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville TN March 12, 13, 2026
Duration: approximately 22’00”
Instrumentation/Specifications of Instruments
3 Flutes (Flute 3 Doubling Piccolo)
3 Oboes (Oboe 3 Doubling English Horn)
3 Bb Clarinets (Clarinet 3 Doubling Bb Bass Clarinet)
2 Bassoons
4 F Horns (mutes needed)
2 C Trumpets (straight and Harmon mutes needed)
2 Trombones (straight and Harmon mutes needed)
Bass Trombone (straight mute needed)
Tuba
Timpani (23”, 26”, 29” & 32”)
3 Percussion
Harp
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Solo Alto Saxophone
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Double Bass (with C-Extensions)
Percussion Instrumentation
Percussion 1
Vibraphone
Crotales (High and Low Octaves)
Pedal Bass Drum
4 Concert Tom-toms
Medium Suspended Cymbal
Sizzle Cymbal
Splash Cymbal
Medium Wood Block
Metal Shaker, or Cocktail Shaker Filled with Beads
Small Triangle
Vibraslap
Whip
Percussion II
Tubular Bells
Glockenspiel
Snare Drum
Pedal Bass Drum
2 Bongos
2 Timbales
Crash Cymbals
Hi-hat
Medium Suspended Cymbal
Ride Cymbal
High Wood Block
Medium Wood Block
Metal Shaker, or Cocktail Shaker Filled with Beads
Ratchet
Medium Triangle
Small Triangle
Percussion III
Concert Bass Drum
Large Tamtam
Crash Cymbals
Medium Suspended Cymbal
Bell Tree
Bar Chimes
Metal Shaker, or Cocktail Shaker Filled with Beads
Ratchet
Medium Triangle
III.SomeLikeItHot
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