Imps and Gargoyles – Carol Barnett

Composer: Carol Barnett

Instrumentation: Saxophone Quartet (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)

Duration: 7'15"

Date Written:  2023

Composer’s note: An imaginary world: mournful gargoyles gloomily gazing down from their high perches, argumentative imps furiously interrupting each other, and a nostalgic Japanese melody, here transformed into a wistful waltz. The style is eclectic, a magpie approach – obscure motives from Italian operas and Shostakovich symphonies, a harmonic homage to Irving Fine, syncopated rhythms in several different styles – all jumbled together. Imps and Gargoyles was written for Le Quatuor International de Saxophones to be premiered at the 2023 World Saxophone Congress.