Hello there, my name is Richard Rijnvos, composer of contemporary music, originally from the Netherlands. Currently I am professor and Head of Composition in the Music Department of the University of Durham (UK).
I wonder if you could bring some clarity in the following discussion I am having with some colleagues of mine? The original score of “Boléro” by Maurice Ravel calls for a sopranino saxophone in F. Most comments by experts on the internet say this instrument never existed, and that Ravel simply mistook it for the one in E-flat.
However, one of your webpages (https://saxstation.com/
Would love to hear from you!
Best wishes,
Richard
Interesting question. Sax at least theoretically came up with the F sopranino’s design in the orchestra series. It’s possible that none were made.
https://bandestration.com/
My soprano sax was a b flat. never heard of one in F
This post is about the sopranino, not the soprano. Sopraninos are usually in Eb.
Dear Mr. Neal Battaglia,
From what I have read and researched, it was Adolphe Sax’s intention to create two families of saxophone: the military-style which alternated B-flat and E-flat, and the orchestral style which alternated C and F. The Lives of Ravel and Sax did overlap for 19 years which was after the Saxophone was patented. Following the tradition of F and C instruments primarily in orchestral settings and Sax’s vision of inclusion of the saxophone in the orchestra by creating the C and F family, I believe that It is possible for one to have possibly existed or there was an intention of one being made in F which may explain why Ravel scored Bolero as he did. To be honest, as a saxophone player myself, I am fascinated by the existence of this orchestral family and am seeking more knowledge and possibly considering this subject for a doctoral dissertation.
I mean to specify that it is a possibility that the F sopranino may have existed or was going to exist. Ravel was possibly a visionary in terms of seeking the newest instruments for a unique sound that would have distinguished him from other composers more than he already was, but he could have possibly introduced Sax’s second sax family in a major work.
Thanks Zachery,
Yes, that is what I have seen as well that there was a design for one. Appreciate what you added.
Went to the Saxquest saxophone museum in St. Louis not too long ago and saw quite a few interesting types of saxophones. But nowhere have I seen or heard of an actual F sopranino.
Does this mean that all performances of Ravel’s Bolero the sopranino part is played by a e-flat sopranino or is taken by the soprano sax also present in the score as well?
From Wikipedia, “At the first performance, both the sopranino and soprano saxophone parts were played on the B♭ soprano saxophone, a tradition which continues to this day.”