The piece starts with a lone, haunting alto saxophone solo. It is rhythmically free. Most amateurs rush this. The "best" part of the intro is the pause before the downbeat. Silence is the loudest instrument.
Written in 2004, "Ride" depicts the literal sensation of a wild horse race. Hazo isn't just writing pitches; he is writing kinetics. The piece is famous for its use of non-pitched percussion simulating hoof beats (often using rope or cardboard tubes on the bass drum head) and aleatoric (chance) passages that sound chaotic but are meticulously structured. ride samuel hazo score pdf 12 best
The piece begins with a distinct three-note rhythmic cell. This motif permeates every measure. When viewing the PDF score, notice how Hazo passes this motif between the low brass/woodwinds and the trumpets. The challenge is not playing the notes, but ensuring the motif "speaks" through the texture. The piece starts with a lone, haunting alto saxophone solo