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A​.​Š​enderovas - David​’​s Song for tenor saxophone and string quartet (2006)

from Liudas Mock​ū​nas - Polylogues (CD2​)​: Works for solo saxophone, Clarinet and string quartet by Liudas Mockūnas

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ANATOLIJUS ŠENDEROVAS (1945–2019)
David’s Song for tenor saxophone and string quartet (2006)

Originally written for solo cello and string quartet, David’s Song was commissioned by the Kronberg Academy and dedicated to David Geringas, a world-famous cellist and Šenderovas’ creative ally, on the occasion of his 60th anniversary. The title also refers to the most prominent musician in the Bible, King David, who was renowned for his masterful playing on the lyre and writing psalms. Here the main focus is on the richness of the musical expression, articulation and sound colour spectacularly displayed in a succession of contrasting episodes – some relentless with pulsing energy, some lyrical and intimate or lightly humorous.

A one-movement composition is divided into five sections, each based on different thematic material. It opens with the soloist’s robust monologue that propels the work’s narrative forward. The string quartet joins in the next section where a ruminative development brings the melody in high register reminiscent of both Lithuanian folk tunes and Jewish liturgical chants. The voice of the solo instrument, tuneful and nostalgic, links David’s Song with the ancient tradition of Hebrew cantillation.

At the end of the slow section, all instrumental lines come into unison to prepare a short episode of ensemble tuning, which gradually grows into a fast-paced dance. The boisterous fun of this Klezmer-like dance suddenly runs amok, with performers acting an improvised quarrel scene before the next round of band playing. After a climax that brings some kind of transfiguration, the pensive and wistful mood of the second section returns. The cello drone in the lowest register, fluttering strings and quasi-liturgical chanting in high register create a tingling sensation of mystical depths.

Kamilė Rupeikaitė, Veronika Janatjeva

I personally came into contact with this music in 2009 when Anatolijus was commissioned to write Mystery for the closing ceremony of the Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 programme, which included a fragment of David’s Song, specially arranged for solo saxophone and chamber orchestra. After the composer passed away in 2019, members of the Chordos Quartet and I played a tribute concert in his loving memory. In preparation for the concert, I made a new version of this piece for tenor saxophone and string quartet, from which I removed the final ad libitum episode and added quite a few solo improvisations, not only in the first section that was originally scored for solo cello but also in the second, which I play unaccompanied.

Liudas Mockūnas

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from Liudas Mock​ū​nas - Polylogues (CD2​)​: Works for solo saxophone, Clarinet and string quartet, released June 30, 2021

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