Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone and Piano
Duration: 8’00”
Program Note:
[not so] Simple Gifts is an eclectic theme and variations on the Shaker song Simple Gifts. Rather than continuously developing the melody from variation to variation, the composition uses this familiar tune as a springboard into entirely new styles and genres of music with each variation.
From the groovy rhythms and crunchy harmonies of J-Pop to the bouncy, jubilant sounds of Polka; from the eerie mysticism of a haunted waltz to the powerful chords and erratic time signatures of Math Rock, this composition takes the listener on a musical journey through wildly contrasting styles. Of course, it all ends with an homage to Aaron Copland’s majestic setting of Simple Gifts in the piano, while the saxophonist lets loose with a barrage of virtuosic patterns above.
Each variation prioritizes emulating its respective style over keeping the original melody fully intact, allowing the sections to cleverly build upon, distort, and obscure the Simple Gifts theme in unique ways throughout. The result is a delightfully unpredictable musical journey that feels a bit like hitting shuffle on the most random playlist imaginable.
Chris Evan Hass, Composer 