Pavanne (from Symphonette No. 2): 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone
Pavanne (from Symphonette No. 2): 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone Sheet Music Preview

Pavanne (from Symphonette No. 2): 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone

By Morton Gould

Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-PC-0002048_AX2
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Description
Morton Gould will be remembered in history as the consummate composer, conductor, educator, and administrator. His genius reached all facets of our art with compositions ranging from popular to symphonic literature. Occasionally, one of his works claimed fame in both arenas. Pavanne has been extracted from a larger work and has become one of those tunes known to millions. We proudly welcome Mr. Gould's own arrangement for concert band. (3:28)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Pavanne (from Symphonette No. 2): 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Belwin Classic Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 126
SKU: 00-PC-0002048_AX2

More about this title

About the Composer: Morton Gould

Morton Gould (1913-1996) was a defining voice in American concert music, equally at home writing for Broadway, film, and the concert hall. His gift for melody and orchestration made him one of the most performed composers of the twentieth century, and his work as a conductor and educator shaped generations of musicians. Gould understood the concert band idiom deeply and wrote for it with the same sophistication he brought to his symphonic works.

Why we love this

Pavanne sits at the sweet spot between accessibility and substance. The melody is instantly memorable, the harmonic language is rich without being dense, and Gould's own band arrangement brings out colors that justify this piece on any concert. It programs beautifully alongside more complex works and gives your ensemble something genuinely satisfying to play.

What to expect

Pavanne unfolds with quiet dignity and genuine warmth. The melody has a nostalgic, elegant quality that feels both timeless and distinctly American. There's a gentle melancholy beneath the surface, created by Gould's sophisticated harmonic language, that keeps the piece from feeling sentimental.

Who it's for

Grade 3 bands with solid intonation and section balance. This piece rewards players who can shape a phrase and control dynamic nuance, making it ideal for ensembles ready to move beyond straightforward march-style literature but not yet tackling complex harmonic writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening melodic phrase with a gentle swell rather than rigid dynamics; let the phrasing breathe naturally across the bar lines.
  • Balance the inner voices carefully once the theme passes between sections. Gould layers harmonic support that can easily overwhelm the tune.
  • Sustain the slower tempo through the middle section without rushing. This piece earns its impact through restraint, not forward momentum.
  • Bring clarity to any divisi passages in the reed or brass sections. Gould relies on internal texture, so intonation between split voices matters.

How to use it

Pavanne works beautifully as a first or second piece on a concert, setting a lyrical tone and drawing the audience in before you move into more energetic repertoire. Its modest length (3:28) and restrained character make it an ideal bridge between opening remarks and the main program.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining long melodic phrases with consistent tone quality and vibrato control
  • Balancing harmonic texture and inner voice clarity in multivoiced passages
  • Controlling dynamics across ensemble sections to maintain proportional balance
  • Reading and executing slower tempos with rhythmic precision and musical intent
  • Responding to subtle conductor gestures that shape phrasing and harmonic color

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