Anders Paulsson, the soprano saxophonist, was awarded the Royal Gold Medal, Litteris et Artibus, in 2012 for his prominent artistic achievements.
Composition History
Jonathan Sheffer's Concerto for Soprano Saxophone & Orchestra was commissioned for a 1996 concert on Swedish Public Television, featuring saxophonist Anders Paulsson.
Cultural Impact
Anders Paulsson, the soprano saxophonist, performed for Nelson Mandela when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and for Nobel Prize winners in Medicine in 2003.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Composer Jonathan Sheffer subtitled his Concerto for Soprano Saxophone & Orchestra as "Romp" and conceived it as a "hero's journey" in the style of earlier tone poems.
Notable Performances
The first performance of Jonathan Sheffer's Concerto for Soprano Saxophone & Orchestra took place at the Berwaldhallen in Stockholm and was broadcast live as part of a concert featuring Anders Paulsson.
Compositional Technique
Jonathan Sheffer's Concerto for Soprano Saxophone & Orchestra is structured in three movements: sonata form, ballade, and rondo.
Performer Biography
Anders Paulsson, the soprano saxophonist on this recording, is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world and has inspired over 50 international composers to write for him.
