Owen Dalton (b. 1998)
List of works
Instrumentation: Saxophone Quartet (S, A, T, B), drum kit, electric guitar and bass guitar
Instrumentation: Alto Saxophone and Piano
Programmatic information: Dedicated to Mark Michael Lynch
Instrumentation: Reed quintet
Duration: 6:32
Programmatic information: Written for the Calefax Composer’s Competition 2022
Instrumentation: Alto saxophone and piano
Duration: 5:05
Premier information: Premiered by Josie McClure (saxophone) and Seung-Ree Lee (piano) as one of the works at the concert entitled: Finding Home: An Exploration of New South African Saxophone Music. Erin Hall, Rondebosch. Cape Town, 14 July 2023.
Programmatic Information:
This short work for alto saxophone and piano was commissioned by UNISA in collaboration with Josie McClure’s postgraduate research on South African saxophone repertoire. It is comprised of two main ideas. The first being a rhythmic pattern based on morse code, and the second being a four-chord progression that repeats in different directions. The rhythmic pattern is formed from the morse code for J-O-S-I-E (heard clearly in the opening bars) while the chord progression is an expansion of a chord found in Schnittke’s Choir Concerto – a Gsus4 chord that moves stepwise eventually landing on a Bb^7 chord. The nature of the piece is turbulent, hence the name, and briefly explores the erratic side of human nature through contrasting tempos, rhythms, and harmonies.
Instrumentation: Soprano Saxophone and Oboe
Duration: 10:36
Programmatic information:
Seven Reactions is a short seven-movement chamber work for oboe and soprano saxophone written by Owen Dalton in 2018/2019. It was initially written for a call for scores that was searching for oboe and soprano saxophone duets, but was later revised in 2022 to the current version you will hear shortly. Each movement (1-2 minutes each) reflects a specific human “reaction” while exploring the sonic combination of oboe and soprano saxophone. The seven movements appear as follows:
I. Aggressive – insistent and forceful
II. Soporific – hypnotic and drowsy
III. Agile – acrobatic and dextrous
IV. Gentle – uneasy but calm
V. Mysterious – out-of-sync and secretive
VI. Hesitant – doubtful and small
VII. Cantankerous – argumentative and unhinged
About the composer...
Owen Dalton (1998+) is a young South African composer and oboist. Currently he is completing his master’s in composition at the University of Stellenbosch researching on the sonic capabilities of the reed quintet.
Earlier this year, he was the runner-up (2nd place) in the inaugural South African Composition Competition where the Cape Town Philharmonic performed and recorded his work ‘An Animal Suite’. He was also recently commissioned to write a work for the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra that was performed in May this year.
He was announced as one of the five finalists in the 2023 South African Strings Foundation Composition Competition in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, the Composer’s Symposium, and the Flat Mountain Project.
Dalton prides himself in his ability to write for winds and enjoys writing for chamber groups or larger ensembles that include them. He also frequently performs as an oboist and English hornist around the country in various amateur and professional orchestras.