Sweet Tooth by Stacy Garrop Chamber Music - Sheet Music

SKU: PR.114424200

ISBN 9781491138625. UPC: 680160624683. 9x12 inches.

Stacy Garrop’s music is deliciously dramatic even when there is no story being told. In setting three desserts to music, there is structural counterpoint between the elements of the Key Lime Pie, while the saxophonistic expressions of Salted Caramel Gelato and Chocolate Lava Cake are dripping with descriptions. To reach a full spectrum of sonorities with an unaccompanied alto saxophone, Garrop employs the full register, including idiomatic climbs into the altissimo. The 13-minute work is a showcase for advanced performers and has been recorded by Joseph Lulloff.
When Joseph Lulloff and I began discussing details for a new solo saxophone work, I noticed how much we talked about food. Joe wanted a suite of virtuosic short movements in which one movement would be a barn-burner. As our discussions went along, I realized that a trio of desserts would nicely (and deliciously!) fit the bill. For SWEET TOOTH, we selected three desserts that we both find highly appealing.For my research, I sampled (okay, devoured) each dessert, wrote down my impressions, and then composed music to match my gastronomic experience:I. Key Lime PieThe bottom graham cracker crust gives the pie piece a dense, solid foundation and has a slightly grainy quality. The middle key lime layer is thick, creamy, and very tangy. The top whipped cream layer is light and sweet. Both the graham cracker and whipped cream layers aid in mitigating the tartness of the key lime layer. A benefit of this pie is that you can direct each forkful to consist of one, two, or all three layers. This gives you six different possible tastes, as well as helps you choose how much tartness you want per bite, especially if there's a lot of whipped cream on top.II. Salted Caramel GelatoThe gelato is smooth and very creamy. The caramel adds to this creaminess, while the salt adds unexpected and fun moments of punch. If the grains of salt are small enough to blend seamlessly into the gelato, there is no way of knowing when you’re going to experience that punch. This dessert is mostly a single-taste experience, with an occasional salty spike. The gelato melts so swiftly on the tongue that the taste fades rapidly after each spoonful, which leads to speedily consuming the entire bowl.III. Chocolate Lava Cake The entire exterior consists of a light and moist milk chocolate cake, which has a pleasingly sweet quality. A fine dusting of powdered sugar on top doesn’t greatly impact the taste, but it is visually appealing against the chocolate. Once the fork breaches the middle of the cake, a rich, dense liquid of deliciously bitter dark chocolate oozes from the center. Light versus dense, sweet versus bitter…this dessert is a study in contrasts. Consuming this dessert too quickly leads to a sugar rush.