Erwin Schulhoff - Hot Sonata For Alto Saxophone with Piano Accompaniment

Erwin Schulhoff - Hot Sonata For Alto Saxophone with Piano Accompaniment

Erwin Schulhoff, a profound and innovative composer of the early 20th century, has his creative genius encapsulated in the Hot Sonata for Alto Saxophone, composed in 1930. Schulhoff's life and works were dramatically affected by the atrocities of the National Socialists, leading to his music being unjustly neglected for many years. However, his compositions have regained recognition due to their vibrant integration of jazz, Dada, atonality, and socialist realism.

The Hot Sonata vividly demonstrates Schulhoff's fascination with jazz through its use of the saxophone—a distinctive choice for classical compositions of the time. This piece is enriched with dynamic rhythms, engaging harmonies, and novel saxophone techniques like glissandi, all contributing to its lively, jazz-infused character.

This publication marks the first-ever Urtext edition of the Hot Sonata, meticulously compiled to correct errors persistent in prior editions. It draws from an array of authentic sources, including the original manuscript, an engraver's copy, and Schulhoff's own annotations on his copy of the score. Additionally, insights from personal documents such as letters and contracts provide a deeper understanding of Schulhoff’s intentions for this work.

Edited by Frank Lunte, a Berlin-based saxophonist and scholar, this edition offers performers and audiences alike a closer connection to Schulhoff's original vision, making it a significant contribution to both the saxophone repertoire and the revival of Schulhoff’s legacy.