Harbour Light
A reflective short concert work for saxophone quartet, inspired by a sunrise over the sea.
Composer : Jim Fieldhouse
Instrumentation : standard S/A/T/B saxophone quartet
Difficulty rating : Advanced
Written for the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Harbour Light was inspired by an early morning trip to photograph the sunrise over Whitby, on the North Yorkshire coastline. The music depicts stillness of the morning looking out from the harbour wall across the vast expanse of water. The rising sun brakes through the clouds, painting the water with a golden glow, the stillness only disturbed by waves swirling around the sea walls and the call of seagulls.
The work uses lush harmonic chorale-style writing with flowing solo interjections. Harbour Light opens with a simple solo line on the soprano saxophone over calm chordal textures, while bubbling semi-quaver lines depict the ever turbulent waters. The solo lines are passed around the ensemble as the music ebbs and flows to its peaceful conclusion.
This short concert work is scored for standard S,A,T,B saxophone quartet and is sure to add a moment of peace and tranquillity to any programme.
A version for clarinet quartet is also available.
Hear Harbour Light, performed by The Apollo Saxophone Quartet.