Raaf Hekkema

Suite für Altsaxophon solo

Traditional form meets modern melody: Raaf Hekkema's 'Suite' is based on the classical form of Bach's French dance suite with Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Saraband, Minuet, and Gigue. Hekkema gives each movement its own modern character: The Prelude is based on a free melody, like the tradition librement opening of a French suite for lute from the 17th century. In the Allemande, an improvisatory melody develops over an ostinato bass whereas the Courante is a fast, softly swinging movement. The Saraband with multiphonic chords resembles a thoughtful etude, and the Minuet plays with the complexity of three long musical eras. The final dance, the Gigue, turns out to be really 'funky'.