Fantaisie Impromptu

André Jolivet (1905-1974) established his love for composition from a young age. This remained throughout his life, and he held the post of Professor of Composition from 1966-1970 at the Paris Conservatoire. Fantaisie Impromptu for Alto Saxophone and Piano was published in 1953, and remains highly regarded.

Jolivet, himself a cellist, wished to explore composition for all instruments, and therefore has a considerable number of works in all fields. The composer's style is also known for its spirituality, and the desire to associate the everyday with the magical, and the human with the universal. Jolivet draws on acoustics and atonality, as heard in hisFantaisie Impromptu. The piece requires advanced skills due to its use of complex rhythms and harmonics. For all advanced saxophonists, Jolivet provides an exciting, alternative piece for the instrument's repertoire.