Works for saxophone quartet
Miniature idyllique
This work is without any doubt the first in Alain Crepin’s catalogue. He wrote it secretly for his fiancée as a surprise for their wedding ceremony. It was created on the 26th of July 1977 by the “Dinant Saxophone Quartet” in which Alain Derijckere replaced the young husband. In ABA form , the “Miniature Idyllique” leads us into a dream through a mixture of sounds and lets us discover the budding orchestration talents of the young composer. The piece finishes with the warm sonorities of the lower register of the saxophones in chords which open the doors of solid happiness.
Quatmosphères
This is a quite difficult piece in three parts written for the “Dinant Saxophone Quartet”. The first part expresses a tension: the introduction leaves the listener perplexed. With vigor and tenacity, the four saxophones try to install contrasted melodic cells. The sequences are a little disturbing and each one gives the impression that it is trying to find its own path. Happily, calm returns in a very persistent way. Tight chords develop a sort of passacaglia whereby the soprano sax’s serenity floats over the other parts in a calm way. The tenor sax seizes this possibility to express all of its sadness while the baritone sax ensures the cohesion of the second movement. The third part brings us back to the mysterious beginning before starting a little chasing play between the four saxophones. All the chromatic cells finally give way to a tonal theme played by the alto sax. The different atmospheres of the composition are recalled in the final coda.