menu
menu

The Devil’s Handyman Suite

(2019)
The Washington Saxophone Quartet liked my commission for their 30th anniversary so much that they asked for another piece for their 40th anniversary. That was in 2015; unfortunately, it took me four years to complete it. Nevertheless, they seemed to like this one, too, and have been including it on their concerts. It’s an arrangment of five of the original nine movements of “The Devil’s Handyman,” a nine-movment work of completely different instrumentation, originally commissioned by the 21st Century Consort.
* Spike Jones “was an American musician and bandleader specializing in spoof arrangements of popular songs and classical music. Ballads receiving the Jones treatment were punctuated with gunshots, whistles, cowbells and outlandish and comedic vocals.” — Wikipedia, “Spike Jones

Audio Excerpt

III. Machine Dedicated to Spike Jones (Washington Saxophone Quartet)
Instrumentation
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone (+ “Whee Whistle”)
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone (+ Slapstick, Cowbell, Vibraslap, Slide Whistle, and Duck Call)
Duration
22:00
Commission
Washington Saxophone Quartet music commission
Wahington Saxophone Quartet
Share this Page
Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top
guy

?Who Stole the Polka?

Guy Klucevsek

1992, Eva Records – WWCX 2037

?Who Stole the Polka? is the second volume of pieces that accordionist Guy Klucevsek commissioned from composers ranging widely over the contemporary new music scene in the mid-’80s. 

Track 9A

“The Devil’s Polka”

Serenely Cedille

eighth blackbird

Cedille Records – CDR 8001

This new disc of calming classics, drawn from 16 different, acclaimed CDs in the Cedille Records catalog, consists of rare gems of relaxing classical music, ranging from symphony and concerto movements to solo piano, choral, and chamber works. 

Track 9

“Thirteen Ways” - Mvt. IV

Purchase

Round Nut Tool

eighth blackbird

“Round Nut Tool is our debut CD! A mix of our favorite works from the 1998-99 season, including excerpt tracks from Thomas Albert’s Thirteen Ways. This CD was independently recorded in Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin College, Oberlin OH. Produced and recorded by Michael Schulze and Charles Dixon. Additional support provided by AT&T Research Labs.” 

Tracks 6-8

“Thirteen Ways” - Mvts. VI, XI, VIII

Purchase the CD

Eighth Blackbird - Thirteen Ways, Thomas Albert

Thirteen Ways

eighth blackbird

2003, Cedille Records
Thirteen Ways is Eighth Blackbird’s commercial recording debut album on Cedille Records, featuring music by four of America’s most gifted composers: David Schober (b. 1974), Thomas Albert (b. 1948), Joan Tower (b. 1938), and George Perle (b. 1915).
Tracks 12 – 24

“Thirteen Ways”

Purchase Download

Purchase the CD

Thomas Albert, Composer - A Maze (with Grace), Devil's Rain - Relâche

On Edge

Relâche

1990, Mode Records – mode 22
Founded in Philadelphia in 1977, Relâche is devoted to the development and performance of contemporary music with an emphasis on works of an experimental nature.
Track 3

“A Maze (With Grace)”

Track 4

“Devil's Rain”

Purchase

Thomas Albert, Night Music - Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble

Drunken Moon/Night Music

Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble

2007, Lime Green Productions
Two engaging, imaginative and accessible works are featured on this disk of commissions from our 30th Anniversary Season.
(Tracks 11 – 17)

“Night Music”

Purchase Download

Purchase the CD