Written in 1988 for saxophonist John Sampen, Renewing the Myth for alto saxophone and piano exploits both the theme and the legend of NiccoIo Paganini's 24th Caprice for violin. Germinal motives from the Caprice are introduced in both the saxophone and piano and become increasingly complex in a mildly atonal framework. The cadenza incorporates not only the Paganini, but fragments of famous saxophone literature s well. As the piece unfolds, the increasing technical dif?culty recalls the myth - the composer/violinist had exchanged his soul for his virtuosity. The piece was premiered by Sampen and Shrude at the 9th World Saxophone Congress in Tokyo, Japan and is available on Neuma Records 450-80 (compact disc).
