Prelude and Pastorale

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Prelude and Pastorale (1910)

Théodore Dubois (1837 – 1924)

AATB Saxophone Quartet

Prelude and Pastorale by Théodore Dubois arranged for AATB Saxophone Quartet. The two short movements were composed as organ works in 1910 after he had retired as Director of the Paris Conservatoire.

With this arrangement of Prelude and Pastorale you get:

1 copy AATB Saxophone Quartet Score (transposed; 8 pages including covers, 9″ x 12″)

1 copy of each of the following Parts (4 pages including covers, 9″ x 12″)

• Alto Saxophone 1
• Alto Saxophone 2
• Tenor Saxophone
• Baritone Saxophone

The two short movements of Prelude and Pastorale (1.5 minutes each more or less) will provide your quartet with both easy, tuneful music and some interesting challenges. The Prelude is musically simple but can be used to focus on dynamics and balance. It is in common time, taken at a moderate tempo, and in the key of E flat. The Pastorale is in 6/8 time with an ABA form.  It goes at a quick pace and features a jolly tune. The short middle section offers some interesting problems as it introduces syncopations and wanders through closely related major and minor keys. The jolly tune returns in the final section and is passed around the upper voices. The limited range (shown below) of the sax parts makes this accessible for younger players. The rhythmic and harmonic scheme of the 2nd movement provides challenges.

The range for each saxophone part is shown below.
Audio and score excerpts are available above.

Saxophone Range for Prelude and Pastorale

Small notes indicate optional pitches. Alternatives are provided in the parts.

About the Composer

Théodore Dubois (24 August 1837 – 11 June 1924). French Romantic era composer, organist, and teacher. Dubois does not have the best reputation among musicians. A gifted student, and undeniably talented composer, he won the coveted Prix de Rome (1861) and had many prominent posts in the musical world of France including professor of harmony and later director of the Paris Conservatoire. His tenure as director was marked by a staunch conservative curriculum at a time when music was undergoing remarkable changes. He was forced to resign his directorship when he became involved in an attempt to rig the Prix de Rome competition to prevent Maurice Ravel from winning. He continued composing after his retirement. Prelude and Pastorale is one of many works he wrote for organ.

Privately he was responsive to some new movements in music. He especially appreciated Wagner and was fascinated by Debussy.

As a composer, Dubois was seen as capable and tasteful, but not especially original or inspired. He hoped for a career as an opera composer, but became better known for his church compositions. His books on music theory were influential, and remained in use for many years.

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