Eugène Bozza

Contrastes 3

To this day, Eugène Bozza (1905-1991) remains one of the most prolific composers for wind instruments, despite being a violinist himself. His Contrasts III for Clarinet and Bassoon is no exception to the composer's success.

During his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, Bozza won prizes for Violin, conducting and composition, as well as the Grand Prix de Rome. He then conducted the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique and became Head of the Conservatoire in Valenciennes, whilst remaining a prominent composer.

Composed in 1955, Bozza's Brief Piece is to be played on the Alto Saxophone and is a virtuosic work, addressing advanced features including, complex rhythms, chromaticism, a wide range and articulation. As music educationalist, Paul Griffiths has written of Bozza's compositions, his works reveal melodic fluency, elegance of structure and a consistently sensitive concern of instrumental capabilities.