The history of the saxophone
The saxophone is a very misunderstood instrument. When it is mentioned, the typical person thinks of jazz, pop, or rock of the 20th century. The saxophone, although a huge part of the 20th century "radio" genre, was and still is part of the classical repertoire. The instrument itself is very popular, and it is very common to have a wind band with several saxophone players. It is found most often in jazz ensembles. But, the saxophone was invented in 1840, and jazz did not show up until the 20th century. The saxophone was around well before jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Paul Desmond were alive. So, what was the purpose of the classical saxophone? Where did it come from?Adolphe Sax could not have imagined the popularity of his invention at the time that he patented it. He was born in Dinant, on the Meuse River. This Belgium city was once under French rule. Sax's father was an architect and a musician. He enjoyed tinkering in his father's shop, always trying to build or invent something. His father encouraged this, and without this encouragement, the saxophone may have not been invented until many years later. His first musical experiences were good ones, and being very fluent in woodwinds, he began t
He entered the 1841 Belgium Exhibition. Had Sax not been so content with improving on instruments, he surely would have been a virtuoso clarinetist. He was one of the pioneers of saxophone method, and helped the instrument in many ways. Adolphe Sax would be proud of the recognition his instrument has gotten since its invention. Admirers of the instrument were impressed by it's original sound and blending capabilities. He entered many shows and competitions showing his improved instruments. Since it's invention, many very notable pieces have been written for the saxophone. Even though there was still great encouragement of the saxophone in Paris, most of the saxophone instruction was carried on by clarinetists, usually done in regional conservatories. By 1867, it was a regular part of infantry and cavalry bands in France. Rumors suggest that he had secret pairs of all of his instruments, and that the saxophone was still displayed. Another composer, George Kastner, wrote a part for the bass saxophone in his oratorio, Le dernier Roi de Juda. Adolphe Sax did this as well, and also promoted original compositions for the sax, to be dedicated to him to be played. Creston also wrote his Concerto for Alto Saxophone, and it was premiered by Vincent Abato and the New York Philharmonic in 1944. Most composers were also conductors of military bands, and they composed, arranged and adapted saxophone solos from clarinet or oboe solos, or even from string pieces.
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