For A. Z.: dreams, earth, and heavens for alto saxophone and organ

Abstract

This composition, written for alto saxophone and organ in 2007, is part of a stage work entitled Dreams, Earth, and Heavens. All three preludes are based on a single musical idea that has been important in the composer’s life. In the first prelude, melodic lines from the First Delphic Hymn (c. 138 B.C.) are used. The second prelude is based on palindromic phrases. The final prelude is modal in nature and is derived from the composer’s opera, Antigone.