Tracers Ic

Instrumentation: saxophone quartet and piano

Duration: 10′

Program note:

Tracers uses the spectral analysis of saxophone tones as the harmonic template for the entire ensemble. Specifically, spectral data of ring modulated saxophone multiphonics is mapped onto the ensemble. Gradually, these harmonies are fragmented and distorted in different ways as a way of defining a sort of organic form of the entire work.

The work is viewed as an ongoing project of expansion with versions for saxophone quartet alone (Tracers II), and expanded versions for saxophone quartet and piano with electronics (Tracers Ia) and without electronics (Tracers Ib).

This piece was premiered by Quartetto Obrigado and pianist Paloma Gonzalez on April 4th, 2025 at the NASA Region VI Conference at McNeese State University.