Sonata in C-sharp minor | Fernande Decruck arr. Joren Cain

Sonata in C-sharp minor (1943) by Fernande Decruck (1896–1954) arr. Joren Cain 0:02 - I. Très modéré, expressif 4:25 - II. Noël (Andante) 7:16 - III. Fileuse (Légèrement animé) 9:12 - IV. Nocturne et Rondel (Calme, très modéré) Fernande Decruck was born in Gaillac, France in 1896. She began piano lessons at the Toulouse Conservatory at the age of eight. When she was 22 years old, she was admitted into the Paris Conservatory in order to study composition and organ. She was influenced greatly by her organ professors, Eugène Gigout and Marcel Dupré, who introduced her to improvisation. Decruck moved to America in 1928 with her husband and two children. In 1933, she returned to France and began a period of great composition productivity. Decruck later taught harmony at the Toulouse Conservatory. In 1942, she moved back to Paris in order to reunite with her husband and in order to promote her music. Decruck died of a stroke in 1954. Sonate en Ut# pour Saxophone Alto et Orchestre was composed in 1943 and is dedicated to Marcel Mule, who served as Professor of Saxophone at the Paris Conservatory. There is an alternative solo viola part for this Sonata. This is likely due to the fact that the viola, an instrument with a similar range to that of the alto saxophone, was more widely known when compared to the saxophone at this time. Differences between the saxophone and viola parts include some note and articulation discrepancies. The score for this piece indicates the viola part key, therefore, is considered easier to read for the pianist when compared to that of the written key of the saxophone. Movement one, titled Très modéré, expressif, translates to very moderately, expressive. The first six measures begin with a calm introduction in the piano part. The introduction leads to a climatic saxophone entrance which showcases the high register of the saxophone. This movement may be described as conversational, featuring many tempo fluctuations. The dramatic changes of tempo add to the expressive nature of the music. Movement two is titled Noël, which translates to Christmas. Similar to the first movement, the second movement is also expressive dynamically. In particular, Decruck explores soft dynamic colors. She utilizes the term doucement, which translates to: with care, softly, gently, quietly, for example. The simple and tuneful melodic lines create a nostalgic and warm character of music which could be compared to that of an emotional connection associated with Christmas carols. Fileuse is the title of movement three which translates to spinner: a person who spins thread. This idea of spinning is programmatically represented in Decruck’s consistent use of sextuplet rhythmic figures. These figures create the illusion of a spinning machine’s motion. The last movement is composed in two parts: Nocturne et Rondel. The title of Nocturne refers to nighttime. As the title suggests, the musical character is calm and quiet. There are, however, brief climatic moments such as the climax occurring in measure 17. The title of Rondel refers to the musical form of a rondo. This form may be characterized as a recurrent principal theme which alternates with new, contrasting themes. Decruck utilizes a standard five-part rondo form plus an introduction and coda: Intro - A - B - A - C - A - Coda. Rico Allen - saxophone Xiao Wang - piano University of North Texas - College of Music Voertman Hall Recorded: November 17, 2022