FOUR ELEMENTS

Four Elements is a four movement solo tenor saxophone piece composed for Andy Scott in Manchester, UK, meant to reflect the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire & Water. I had yet to compose a solo tenor saxophone piece, and am grateful for Andy and a consortium of supporters for making this all happen. This piece is made up of many of the devices I use in improvising in a jazz setting, but set more in a classical style, so to speak.
Earth utilizes strong, grounded pedal low notes, upon which changing and varied arpeggios are built. It is this notion of grounding that is heard throughout the movement. The tenor saxophone’s broad range makes this idea work well, and again is inspired by the writing of J.S. Bach. There is a middle section that is more staccato, to contrast the more legato lines, and perhaps represent more jagged and textural terrain of the earth. The process of grounding is such an integral part of life, and is an essential activity that assures a healthy connection with the earth and humanity.
Air is somewhat of a lyrical movement that draws upon the writing of J.S Bach, suggesting a harmonic map along with a singable melody. It is meant to represent gently flowing air, as in a nice breeze that caresses one’s skin on a beautiful day. There may be some gusts of wind represented by some more active lines that venture up into the altissimo range of the saxophone. A brief staccato section could somehow represent particles of dust or dirt that are blown about in a gust of wind.
Fire was inspired by a recording John Coltrane did called Interstellar Space, where he played rapid cascading lines to great effect. This reminded me of a quickly spreading fire, unpredictable, urgent and menacing. In the middle of the movement I utilize trills to represent the complex formations fires tend to create, so unpredictable and ever changing. The end of the piece gradually slows as if the fire is slowly extinguishing itself.
Water begins with an arpeggiated triad pair that moves around in a flowing, liquid fashion. Later there are rapidly descending lines meant to represent the flowing of water downward. In the middle of the piece there is a staccato section that depict small droplets of water hitting a window sill. This is one of the more virtuostic movements of the piece, and demands a serious control of the saxophone.
There are many opportunities in Four Elements to have drastically contrasting dynamic and rhythmic options, along with the need to play sometimes challenging arpeggios with large interval skips to be played legato and delicately. I hope Four Elements challenges many saxophonists and inspires some to find different pathways in the world of melody, harmony, texture, and rhythm.
- Bob Mintzer

• Earth
• Air
• Fire
• Water

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