Henri Tomasi
(1901-1971)

Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
Composed 1949

Henri Tomasi, a French composer, conductor, and prodigious artist of the 20th century, was born in the port city of Marseilles on August 17, 1901. Tomasi's journey from a young boy dreaming of seafaring adventures, in the vein of his uncles, to becoming one of the era's most distinguished composers, began under the watchful eye of his father, Xavier. Xavier, a flautist, bandleader, and Corsican folk song collector, recognized his son's potential and guided his early music education at the Conservatory of Marseilles, a path that eventually led Henri to the prestigious Paris Conservatory.

In Paris, Tomasi honed his craft under the tutelage of renowned music masters such as Philippe Gaubert, Vincent d'Indy, Paul Dukas, Paul Vidal, and Georges Caussade. His early affiliations with the avant-garde group Le Triton in 1922 solidified his reputation as an innovative composer and conductor. As his career progressed, he conducted numerous major radio concerts, operas, ballets, symphonic works, and festivals, with a particular affinity for French masters like Lalo, Saint-Saëns, Faure, d'Indy, Dukas, Debussy, and Ravel.

Tomasi's compositions, filled with mysticism, emotional intensity, brilliant orchestration, and an atmospheric style, show the profound influence of his travels and personal experiences. His musical work, a rich tapestry of oriental sounds, neo-impressionistic effects, quartal harmonies, jazz inferences, and isolated, highly chromatic sections, suggests an artist of enormous versatility and imagination.

Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, composed in 1949, is comprised of two movements. Intertwined throughout are lyrical and intense moments that show a captivating dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra.

The work begins with a very lyrical andante section, which develops into an energetic allegro in a 5/4 time. Bi-tonality, a recurring feature in Tomasi's work, enriches this movement, creating an atmospheric soundscape that transports listeners to a beach with waves lapping on the shore.

The second movement, “Giration,” keeps up the dynamic spirit of the first.  The continually shifting meters and tonality heighten the feeling of imbalance and anticipation. This lively call-and-response section between the saxophone and the orchestra culminates in a poignant largo, subtly referencing the opening theme in inversion.

Tomasi's Concerto Pour Saxophone Alto et Orchestra is a testament to his unique ability to seamlessly integrate diverse influences and musical styles. His music resonates with the evocative sounds of distant lands, the emotional intensity of personal experiences, and the avant-garde spirit of his time. As we delve into this intriguing concerto, we embrace a world of vibrant colors, moods, and rhythms that underscore Tomasi's lasting legacy as a composer, conductor, and innovator.

Instrumentation –  three flutes and piccolo, two oboes and English horn, two clarinets and bass clarinet, two bassoons and contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp, strings, and solo alto saxophone

Duration – 18 minutes

~ Kenneth Bean
Georg and Joyce Albers-Schonberg Assistant Conductor
Princeton Symphony Orchestra