Lars-Erik Larsson’s Saxophone Concerto, Op. 14 is a quiet masterpiece—a work that rewards repeated listening and offers the advanced saxophonist a chance to explore a deeply lyrical, neoclassical language. It deserves a place alongside the Glazunov and Ibert concertos, yet remains underappreciated partly because the score is not freely available online.
If you are a performer, a student, or a researcher, the path forward is clear: contact Gehrmans Musikförlag, visit a music library, or purchase a legal study score. The experience of reading through Larsson’s elegant, transparent pages—seeing how he weaves the saxophone into the orchestral fabric—is well worth the effort and the cost. In doing so, you honor both the composer’s legacy and the continued vitality of the classical saxophone repertoire.
Note: I cannot provide, link to, or describe where to find unauthorized PDF copies. If you need help navigating a library catalog, identifying the correct publisher catalog number, or writing a formal request to a library for a scan (for private study under fair use provisions, depending on your jurisdiction), I am glad to assist further.
Lars-Erik Larsson’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 14, is a cornerstone of the classical saxophone repertoire. Composed in 1934, it stands alongside works by Glazunov and Ibert as one of the first major concerti written for the instrument. Historical Significance
The concerto was dedicated to and premiered by the legendary virtuoso Sigurd Raschèr on November 27, 1934, in Norrköping, Sweden. Because Raschèr was a pioneer of the altissimo register, Larsson included "top tones" and techniques that were considered nearly unplayable by other soloists at the time. This difficulty led Larsson to release a "simplified" version in the early 1980s to encourage more frequent performances. Musical Structure The work is divided into three movements:
Allegro molto moderato: A neo-classical movement featuring intricate dialogue between the soloist and the strings.
Adagio: Known for its lyrical, haunting beauty and expressive melodic lines.
Allegro scherzando: A spirited, technically demanding finale that showcases the saxophone's agility. Accessing the Full PDF and Score
Because Lars-Erik Larsson passed away in 1986, his works are still protected by copyright in most jurisdictions, including the EU (life + 70 years) and the United States. Consequently, "full" legal PDFs are generally not available for free on public domain repositories like IMSLP.
To obtain a legitimate copy of the score or the piano reduction, you can use the following resources: larsson saxophone concerto pdf full
Lars-Erik Larsson’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 14 (1934) is a neoclassical masterpiece renowned for its extreme technical demands, particularly the extensive use of the altissimo register commissioned by Sigurd Raschèr. The three-movement work is a foundational, advanced piece for the saxophone repertoire, often used to study "Top Tone" techniques. For a detailed breakdown of the work, visit Wind Repertory Project.
Lars-Erik Larsson’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra, Op. 14 (1934), is a seminal work in the classical saxophone repertoire, famous for its technical difficulty and early use of the instrument's extended "altissimo" range. Historical Background
Composer: Lars-Erik Larsson (1908–1986) was a prominent Swedish composer known for his melodic and neoclassical style.
Creation: Written in 1934, the concerto was dedicated to and developed in collaboration with virtuoso Sigurd Raschèr.
Premiere: It premiered on November 27, 1934, in Norrköping, Sweden, with Tord Benner conducting the Norrköping Orchestral Association.
Accessibility: Originally so difficult that only Raschèr could perform it, Larsson "simplified" the work in the 1980s to make it more accessible to other soloists. Musical Structure and Analysis
The concerto consists of three movements and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Allegro molto moderato: Neoclassical in style, this movement is characterized by series of cadenzas for the soloist with minimal string accompaniment.
Adagio: Features a lyrical melodic line that highlights the expressive, vocal-like quality of the saxophone. Lars-Erik Larsson’s Saxophone Concerto, Op
Allegro scherzando: A light, playful movement with complex rhythms that some performers describe as having a "cartoon-like" energy. Technical Significance
Altissimo Range: This concerto was one of the first major works to require the Top Tone or altissimo skill, pushing the saxophone beyond its standard orchestral range.
Pantonality: The work incorporates Larsson's interest in non-standard tonality, reflecting his studies with Alban Berg.
The concerto follows a traditional three-movement pattern, though each movement departs from convention in subtle ways. Total duration is approximately 18–20 minutes.
For the saxophonist, the concerto presents several difficulties:
Modern editions include editorial fingerings and breathing suggestions, but many professional players return to manuscript sources to understand Larsson’s original intentions.
The first movement opens with a brief orchestral introduction (strings and woodwinds) presenting a lyrical, slightly melancholic theme in B-flat major—the home key of the concerto. The saxophone enters not with a virtuosic fanfare, but with a singing, almost vocal statement of the same theme, demonstrating Larsson’s belief that the alto saxophone’s greatest strength lies in its cantabile quality.
The second theme, in the dominant key (F major), is more rhythmic and angular, featuring dotted figures and syncopations that hint at Larsson’s Viennese training. The development section avoids overt dramatics; instead, Larsson fragments the themes, passes them through distant keys, and creates a dreamlike, unsettled atmosphere. The recapitulation brings back the themes in reverse order (second theme first, then first), a subtle homage to Beethoven’s late practice.
Because the Saxophone Concerto, Op. 14 remains under copyright in most jurisdictions (Larsson died in 1986, so copyright persists until 70 years after death—i.e., 2056 in the EU and many other countries; in the US, works published 1929–1977 are protected for 95 years from publication, placing this concerto under protection until at least 2029), you cannot legally download a free PDF from public domain sources. Note: I cannot provide, link to, or describe
Legal options:
Retailers – Sheet music retailers like Edition Wilhelm Hansen (now part of Wise Music Group) distribute Gehrmans titles internationally. Sheet Music Plus and Musicroom sometimes carry study scores.
Rental for performance – If you are a soloist or conductor, contact Gehrmans directly to rent performance materials. The rental fee typically includes a conductor’s score and a full set of parts for a limited period.
Avoid file-sharing sites (Scribd, Z-Library, Academia.edu, etc.) that claim to offer the full PDF. These uploads are almost always unauthorized scans; downloading them infringes copyright and deprives the publisher (and Larsson’s estate) of legitimate revenue.
Absolutely. The larsson saxophone concerto pdf full is not just a sheet music file; it is a key to unlocking a unique voice in the classical saxophone canon. Unlike the overplayed concertos of the French school, Larsson offers mystery, Nordic light, and profound depth.
You will not find a legal, free copy through a quick Google search. But by purchasing the PDF from Gehrmans or borrowing from a library, you:
So close the illegal download tabs. Open your wallet, or visit your university library. The Larsson Concerto is waiting for you—all 12 minutes of heartbreaking beauty. Once you have the larsson saxophone concerto pdf full in your hands, start with the Andante. Play it slowly. Listen to the silence between the notes. That is where the magic lives.
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Call to Action: Have you performed the Larsson Concerto? Share your practice tips for the altissimo section in the comments below. If you found this guide helpful, share it with your saxophone studio.
The specific search term "Larsson Saxophone Concerto PDF full" usually implies a desire for one of two things:
However, obtaining this PDF presents a legal and logistical hurdle.