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ASCENSION

Alto saxophone duet

Duration: 5'00"

Composed in 2005.

Written while studying in Italy, this piece was inspired by the cross-shaped designs of the duomos. A cross can be seen as an intersection of two perpendicular lines. Likewise, in this piece one saxophone represents the horizontal line and the other saxophone the vertical line. The cross is also a highly religious icon and in this piece the horizontal line represents humanity, pacing back and forth but never rising above the brokenness of this world while the vertical line is seen as a Christ figure, rising from the depths to take-up humanity, providing a way to transcendence.

Performance History
2005

Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini - premiere

Florence, Italy

John Sampen and Jessica Simms, alto saxophone

St. Mark's Church

Florence, Italy

John Sampen and Jessica Simms, alto saxophone

Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, OH

John Sampen and Jessica Simms, alto saxophone

2006

Spectrum Concert

University of North Texas | Denton, TX

J.D. Little and Ann Bradfield, alto saxophone

2008

Musica Donum Concert

Trinity United Methodist Church | Denton, TX

J.D. Little and Chiaki Hanafusa, alto saxophone

Download the score:
Ascension - Paul David Thomas
00:00 / 00:00
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