Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra in E-flat Major Op. 109

The Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra is Alexander Glazunov’s last work; since its first performance in 1934, it has become part of the standard saxophone repertoire. The sole surviving autograph manuscript is the hand-written dedication score given by Glazunov to Sigurd Raschèr (Raschèr was the founder and leader of the well-known and innovative Raschèr Saxophone Quartet). This score contains the original version of the work without the alterations which were made in the proofs to the orchestral score, as well as the full version of the composer’s cadenza, which was later shortened. The autograph manuscript also contains some performance markings by Raschèr. The correspondence between Raschèr and Glazunov documents the composer’s thoughts on the work and his recommendations about the size of the accompanying string orchestra. Evidence from this correspondence has been integrated into this edition. This first scholarly-critical edition of a work by Glazunov contains an informative introduction with commentaries about the history of its composition, facsimiles, and a critical commentary.