SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER, 2024 (3:30PM)
Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra)
Performers: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra with soloist Gerard McChrystal, directed by Tony Rifugiato.
Venue: St Hugh’s Church, Granville Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9HF United Kingdom.
Program: “We are delighted to be joining with our Patron Gerard McChrystal to perform a fundraising concert in November! The Sunday afternoon concert will combine solo pieces from Gerard and ensemble pieces from the orchestra, culminating in a performance of ‘Concertino’, a modern concerto by Australian composer Matthew Orlovich, that Phoenix will be performing with Gerard taking the lead on solo alto saxophone.” (Source: Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra).
Tickets:£12 (£5 for under 16s), and all profits will go to the St Hugh’s Cygnet Fundraising Project.
URL:  Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra.

Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra) was commissioned by Dr Matthew Hindson AM and the Canberra Symphony Orchestra as part of the CSO Australian Series 2018 for premiere performance on Thursday 17 May, 2018 by the Sydney Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra, with guest conductor Dr Jay Byrnes and soloist Dr Michael Duke, at Gordon Darling Hall, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra ACT, Australia.

Within its three movements, the concertino ebbs and flows between buoyant, sparkling music and slower, more introspective lyricism. The soloist’s narrative draws upon a variety of musical ideas, including some courage-inducing fanfares, a heart-felt aria and some altissimo register tight-rope walking, amongst other things.

The saxophone orchestra’s many fingers are kept quite busy throughout most of the score, with soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophones all contributing to the creation of a kaleidoscopic setting for the soloist. It is formed by layering little snippets of melody, small-to-medium interval trills, drones, some pizzicato-like punctuations and occasional soft and low, slow-burning chord progressions.

Grateful acknowledgement is made to Dr Matthew Hindson AM and to the Canberra Symphony Orchestra for commissioning the work. I also warmly thank all the members of the Sydney Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra, guest conductor Jay Byrnes and soloist, Dr Michael Duke, for giving the world premiere performance of this concertino. – M.O.

Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra)

Featuring Gerard McChrystal (soloist) & Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra, conducted by Tony Rifugiato @ St Hugh’s Church, Market Harborough. (24 Nov., 2024).

Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra): 1st movement

Featuring Gerard McChrystal (soloist) & RWCMD Cardiff Saxophone Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Conroy @ WhirlWinds Festival, Carne Foyer, RWCMD Cardiff, Wales, UK. (15 Oct, 2022).

SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2022 (3:30 PM) ***European Premiere***
WhirlWinds Festival, Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra)
Performed by Gerard McChrystal (soloist) & RWCMD Cardiff Saxophone Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Conroy @ Carne Foyer, RWCMD Cardiff, Wales, UK.

SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022 (7PM) ***WA Premiere***
WAAPA Sax Festival 2022 – Opening Gala Concert

Concertino (Mv. III) for alto sax & saxophone orchestra
Performed by Matt Styles (soloist) & ‘Phone Co. Saxophone Orchestra @ Gala Opening Concert, WAAPA Sax Festival, WAAPA, ECU Mount Lawley Campus, WA.

THURSDAY 17 MAY, 2018 ***World Premiere Performance***
Presented by Singapore Airlines

Concertino (for alto saxophone and saxophone orchestra)
Performed by the SCM Saxophone Orchestra, with guest conductor Dr Jay Byrnes & soloist Dr Michael Duke @ Gordon Darling Hall, National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT, Australia.

Canberra CityNews
Review: Setting free the saxophones
By Rob Kennedy | May 18, 2018.

“Cast in three movements, Matthew Orlovich’s Concertino for Saxophone and Saxophone Orchestra had Dr Michael Duke as soloist, conducted by Dr Jay Byrnes. This modern, tonal work flowed between contrasting moods and it did it with vigour through whirling melodies on solo sax. The bright orchestral colours of this piece came through some inspired playing from everyone and the well-written music; it was a joyous piece.”