Concerto No. 4 for Baritone or Alto Saxophone and Orchestra

Concerto No. 4 for Baritone (or Alto) Saxophone and Orchestra was inspired by the frequent visits of the composer to the colorful French Quarter of New Orleans. Living in Louisiana for fifty years as professor of composition at LSU, he had ample opportunities to study the tradition of this very attractive place. New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz and blues, provides continuous entertainment to its many visitors. A walk through the French Quarter gives an idea of the very roots of American Music.

In the present work, the composer tried to portray the basic elements of the culture of New Orleans by using jazz ideas, blues harmonies, idiomatic rhythms, and quotations from the existing music of this city. The format of the piece resembles the format of Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.

This piece is dedicated to the saxophonist Yiannis Miralis.