Program notes by Isaac Lo
Sonata for Soprano Saxophone and Piano consists of three movements and is a long sustained
chamber work for a duo. While I have termed this 29-minute work a sonata the individual
movements of the work do not fit into sonata form in the traditional sense with an exposition,
development and recapitulation. Note also that while the work has three movements, I have not
followed the traditional fast - slow - fast tempos of the classical sonata, in fact all the movements
tend to remain at fairly moderate speeds. The sonata here represents a major contribution in terms of my compositional output.
In the past, stretching material over a long structure was difficult for me, thus this particular project served to develop my concept of structure. The sonata is therefore one of the longer works I have written. Subjects are stated by one instrument, then answered by the other. The opening of the third movement in particular makes use of the call and response technique. Overall, the work is heavily influenced by modern jazz styles and modes.

Movement One was originally entered in the Allan Zavod classical/jazz fusion competition in May
2002. While my entry was not successful it was the impetus to writing the other two movements.
The piece begins with a Dbmaj#11 chord and enters into a simple swung chord pattern that sets up the basic harmonic content for this movement. At bar 60 an important 12/8 and 2/4 pattern is
established and minimalist techniques consisting of addition and subtraction of notes build the
structure. It is interesting to note that the combined 12/8 and 2/4 bars equal 16 quavers, which in
turn could be notated as two bars of 4/4. Even though the patterns fit into the common 4/4 pattern, it is the groupings that ultimately create the propulsion for this movement.

Milder than the first, Movement Two opens over a G pedal point in its second inversion. The
movement is designed to be a ‘sweeter song’ than the first and similarly uses half and whole tone
lateral steps as its primary movement between chords. At bar 99 a pattern reminiscent of the first
movement appears, though this pattern in C melodic minor is perhaps a little more ‘optimistic’
sounding than the first movement. Note that throughout the entire sonata there are concepts and
ideas that cross all three movements.

Movement Three is much more energetic and is sustained by imitation and rapid movement
contrasted with appropriate space. Attempts to explore colour are evident in the use of register
transfer techniques and eventually the piece works itself towards a groove loosely based on funk
rhythmic patterns beginning at bar 186. As with the other movements the opening statements return to complete the piece.