Thunderstorm Saxophone Quartet by Eric Harper

We've recently been experiencing heavy thunderstorms and tornado warnings across our nation. This piece is about both the emotions and actual sounds we might hear during a potential crisis. At first, its just a storm (Noise), then there's a bit of a peace before it gets bad (Calm), then a Tornado Warning is issued (Panic), and lastly, just as quickly as the warning came, it's over (Relief). The piece itself changes abruptly, to reflect how quickly we must act in the face of a natural disaster. Additionally, the abrupt dynamic changes could be interpreted as either lightning or thunder, just depends how you hear it. And the Rhythmic 16ths motif I hear as rain. Hope you enjoy!

[@saxboss9738]

There are some notational "oddities" in this piece because of the way that Musescore 4 playback interacts with certain dynamic changes. Like the soprano line in m. 20, for example. That could easily be written as a whole note instead of a dotted half tied to two eighths. But MS4 doesn't like Fp's so sometimes you have to do this to get the sound you're looking for. And the glissando's in m 47 in the soprano and alto lines being written as two eighths tied together instead of just a quarter note, same idea. Just for those of you who were wondering 😄

[@Sudden_Tax]

Gorgeous, the transitions, the use of exotic notes, the swift yet clean change of tempos and rhythms, an absolute masterpiece

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much for the positive feedback!

[@yamothy2521]

Dynamics are amazing, loving the bari sax line totally gonna try it out

[@willmorris8198]

Excellent work! This piece shows originality, craftspersonship and professionalism. It's clear that you have studied theory and that you have a great instinct for compisition

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much! Glad you like it!

[@aidanmiller5364]

Most amazing quartet piece I’ve heard, really inspired me. Keep up the good work

[@saxboss9738]

Wow! Thank you for the high praise!

[@gideonlastnamenotfound1578]

I love this so much I've listened to it 20 times already!

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much! More to come, soon :)

[@rph]

Love it!!!

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much!!

[@quoteonquoteartist1301]

I’m obsessed with this

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you ❤️

[@impactchurchreynoldsburg3234]

Great stuff!

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you!

[@LZGunn]

WOW!!!!

[@SkogenWhisper]

King of transitions!

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you for the support!

[@therobotcat3792]

this piece reminds me a lot about paper mario sticker star music, very very good👍

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much!

This is phenomenal! Good job man!

[@saxboss9738]

Thank you so much!! 😊

[@vlad.makcimchenko9697]

That's fackn amazing bro

[@saxboss9738]

Glad you like it!!

[@lumensnn]

This is absolutely captivating - Is there a chance this could be adapted for woodwind quartet?

[@saxboss9738]

I'm sure it could be! The issue for me personally doing that is I know saxophone fingerings, but not the other woodwinds. I know this is playable for saxophones, albeit some parts are tough. I have no idea about the others... Right now anyways. I intend to learn, though!

[@lumensnn]

I'm getting my bassoon performance masters degree and am looking to start a graduate woodwind quartet with other graduate students - I think if the SATB saxes were respectively rewritten as Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon, then these parts would certainly be feasible for an advanced Collegiate quartet, and could be a piece to study for an intermediate Collegiate group. Hope this helps!

[@saxboss9738]

@@lumensnn That does help! I’ll look into it and play around with it and see what I come up with. Maybe I could send it to you and you could at least proof the bassoon part? I’m going into the last part of my semester with finals right around the corner though so it may be a minute lol

[@Jeb251]

what program are you using? Also, this sounds amazing!

[@saxboss9738]

Im using Musescore 4 to write this and probably most future posts! Thank you for the positive feedback!

[@LongDeadArtist]

@@saxboss9738 I only have Musescore 3 as my laptop is version 10, is there any noticeable difference? This is great!

[@tbreindel]

This is amazing! I was just wondering are you playing this or is it the software? When I used musescore, the instruments sounded fake, so I was wondering how they sound so good?

[@saxboss9738]

This is the newest version of Musescore, Musescore 4! Their sound library is incredible! There are a bit of weird interactions that you have to get used to, especially dynamically. But, overall it’s very good! I highly recommend checking it out!

[@tbreindel]

Thanks!

[@ProdByDJMJ]

Could you give us this link so I can print this and learn with my friends? Thanks!

[@saxboss9738]

Hey! Thank you for your interest! Here is the link to my musescore page: musescore.com/user/206303 However, I don’t have downloads enabled right now because I’m working on getting the piece commissioned first. I want the first public performance of the work to be either my own quartet or a quartet group that I endorse, with it also being professionally recorded. After that takes place, I will more than likely enable downloads. I’ll send you a message once that happens. Thanks for your understanding, patience, and interest! I appreciate you.

[@schidius]

@@saxboss9738 do let me know when you’ll allow for this piece to be played! im really interested in playing this together with my quartet.

[@saxboss9738]

@@schidius I certainly will. Thank you for your interest!

[@FatherAndSonChroniclesOffical]

id love to play this song with a few of my friends (i dont have any, its actually myselfx4) is there a way you could give me a pdf/muse file for this song so i could play it?

[@saxboss9738]

Hey! Thanks so much for your interest. I’m working on a website where I can put all my scores on it where they will be available for purchase: I’ll be sure to message you back when that’s up and running!

[@juicymango8400]

What do I search up to get videos just like this. Like I want to watch more sax quartets with this style. Please someone tell me

[@juicymango8400]

1:30 also can I point out that g# of the alto made me ascend to heaven

[@saxboss9738]

I’m not sure what to tell you as far as searching quartets with this style, unfortunately. People have written a lot of good quarters on KZbin though! Maybe just try “original saxophone quartets” and peruse those. I also really like the G# in the alto part at 1:30, thank you! 😀

[@TriVisionTriesAgain]

May I make a string quartet arrangement of this? With all due credit given of course.

[@saxboss9738]

Sorry I didn't see this! Sure! Make sure you send me a link when its up, I'd love to hear it!

[@ashtonkeen3432]

Writing so I can jump to 1:52 to practice that part.

[@JuanGonzalez-xy6cy]

Please don't tell me if this is A I

[@saxboss9738]

It's definitely not AI, I wrote it ❤