A Conductor’s and Performer’s Guide to Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone - Chester Jenkins

76 Chapter 8. Conclusion The purpose of this document was to record the history of the commissioning and development of Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone , provide an analysis of the compositional elements of the work, and to provide a performance guide for both the conductor and performer. Through the course of this project, it became clear that the Concerto for Alto Saxophone was the result of more than just a formal contract, but of relationships, shared vision and mutual respect. It is clear that this composition exists in its form due to the unique collaboration between Bryant and Lulloff. Had Lulloff not traveled to North Carolina to visit with Bryant in January of 2014, this work would likely have been very different. The improvised cadenza, bebop sections and melodic material of the 2 nd movement were all a result of that meeting. Bryant’s admission to allow Lulloff into the compositional process, which is against his standard practice, in this case yielded a truly unique, and personal composition. 64 While the success of the concerto lies primarily within the superb craftsmanship of the work, it seems clear that some part of that success is due to the shared vision that composer and soloist both shared. Upon having heard the Corigliano clarinet concerto, Lulloff called Bryant to add that as an idea, but Bryant was already working on that exact 64 Steven Bryant, interview by author, phone interview, March 8, 2018.