Alto Saxophone Concerto, ”Cocktail Concerto”

For Alto Saxophone and Orchestra

Written: In-Progress
Duration: ca. 16'
Commissioned by Christopher Creviston
for solo alto saxophone and orchestra (3-3-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 / 3 Percussion, timpani (4), harp, strings)
Upcoming World Premiere: Knoxville Symphony, Aram Demirjian, Music Director, and Conductor, Christopher Creviston, Alto Saxophone, March 12 & 13, 2026
Second Performance: Mostly Modern Festival, Mostly Modern Orchestra, Aram Demirjian, Guest Conductor, Christopher Creviston, Alto Saxophone, June 20, 2026
Publisher: Bill Holab Music

PROGRAM NOTE (In-Progress)

One of life's greatest joys is to enjoy an occasional well-made cocktail, so it's not surprising that classic cocktails figure prominently in some of the world's greatest films, whether as quotes in iconic scenes or even as the titles of the movies. Many of these quotes, titles, and drink names are delightfully colorful and evocative, so they provide the perfect point of departure for each movement of my Alto Saxophone Concerto.

In the film Goldfinger, James Bond (aka 007) specifies that he likes his gin martinis “shaken, not stirred.” The first movement, Shaken, No Stirred, uses this famous James Bond phrase as both the title and a musical jumping-off point, aiming for the excitement of a movie thriller. The second movement, Cosmopolitan, feels like walking through a foggy city at night and takes its name from the vodka-based signature drink enjoyed by the main characters in the New York-based movie and TV series Sex and the City. The relaxed, chill, film-noir-ish vibe of this movement is reminiscent of a rainy urban city at night, with hints of bright color, similar to the namesake drink. The jazz-infused third movement, Some Like It Hot, draws inspiration from the movie of the same name, starring Marilyn Monroe, which, coincidentally, features a saxophone player named Joe, played by Tony Curtis. In this film, the cocktail enjoyed by Marilyn Monroe's character, Sugar Kane, and the rest of the all-female band is a Manhattan. Finally, the fast, Latin-American music-inspired last movement, Practical Magic, takes its cue from the film of the same name, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, in which a coven of witches enjoys midnight margaritas.

Alto Saxophone Concerto, “Cocktail Concerto” was commissioned by Christopher Creviston.

– RP

Movements should be listed in programs as follows:
I. Shaken, Not Stirred
II. Cosmopolitan
III. Some Like It Hot
IV. Practical Magic