The Sonata for E♭ Alto Saxophone and Piano, Op. 19, was composed by Paul Creston (pictured) in 1939. The sonata was commissioned by Creston's frequent collaborator, the American saxophonist Cecil Leeson. Creston began composition by June; it was completed by the end of August and slated for publication in 1940, although this was postponed to 1945 due to World War II. The sonata is in three movements and takes around thirteen minutes to perform. Its form follows a traditional, Classical- era structure. The sonata as a whole is of considerable difficulty for both players. Creston and Leeson premiered the sonata at the Carnegie Chamber Hall on February 15, 1940. No critics were present at the premiere, but the sonata's 1955 debut recording by Vincent Abato and Creston received a mixed response. Most found the sonata enjoyable, but there was criticism of a perceived simplistic and salon-like styling.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxophone_Sonata_%28Creston%29

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1990:

Singing Revolution: The Soviet economic blockade of Lithuania was lifted when the Lithuanian parliament agreed to suspend the effects of their act to re-establish Lithuania as a state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_economic_blockade_of_Lithuania

1998:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling, the second novel of the Harry Potter series, was published. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets

2013:

In the Indonesian province of Aceh on the northern end of Sumatra, a Mw 6.1 strike-slip earthquake killed at least 35 people and injured 276 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Aceh_earthquake

2020:

A landslide at a jade mine in Hpakant killed 175–200 miners, the deadliest mining accident in Burmese history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Hpakant_jade_mine_disaster

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

snazzy: 1. Appealing or stylish in appearance or manner; classy, flashy. 2. Of a person: elegant in dressing; of clothes: elegant, fashionable. 3. Adept or ingenious in behaviour or operation; excellent, nifty. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/snazzy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

After every war someone has to tidy up. Things won't pick themselves up, after all. Someone has to shove the rubble to the roadsides so the carts loaded with corpses can get by.   --Wisława Szymborska https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wis%C5%82awa_Szymborska