Carl Anton Wirth - Jephthah: Invocation & Dance

The American composer and conductor Carl Anton Wirth (1912 - 1986) is well known to the classical saxophone community for his numerous works written for the saxophone. His compositional relationship with the saxophone began in the early fifties when Rascher approached him upon hearing his work for cello, "Beyond These Hills." After hearing Raschèr perform, Wirth not only transcribed the work, but also composed and dedicated the "Idlewood Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra" (1954), the "Diversions in Denim" for Saxophone Quartet (1970), and "Portals for Saxophone Ensemble" (1971) to Sigurd Raschèr.

Jephthah : Invocation & Dance for Soprano and Alto Saxophones and Piano, was written for the Rascher Duo in 1958. In Wirth's search for a fitting theme, he stumbled upon the epic biblical legend of Father and Daughter as described below. To enhance the work, Wirth studied the fundamental characteristics of Jewish Hasidic music, which is characterized by its unique melodies, often wordless, and its role in elevating the soul and fostering a connection with God. These characteristics are clearly heard in both movements of the Duo...in the first, the pleading of Jephthah to God, and in the second movement, his daughter dancing to an accentuated 7/8 rhythm.

“Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands … Thus Israel subdued Ammon. When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah,. Who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh, my daughter? You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.”“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends.. Because I will never marry.” “You may go,” he said … After the two months, she returned to her father and he did to her as he had vowed. [Judges 11:29 - 39]

Sigurd and Carina Raschèr premiered Jephthah on November 9, 1958 at Town Hall in New York City with David Tudor at the piano. Wirth composed the work for Soprano and Alto Saxophones with Piano, later setting the work with strings, tambourine, and piano.

“You know I have seldom had the experience of just listening to my music. Either I have been involved in the performance itself or I have not been able to be present at the performance. The times when I have been audience to my music have seldom given me much satisfaction. Last Sunday certainly was a notable exception. Thanks much.” [Carl Anton Wirth in a letter to Sigurd Raschèr, November 15, 1958]

The Raschèr Duo gave no fewer than sixty performances of Jephthah throughout Europe and the United States.

“My recollections of Carl Anton are all very heart warming, from his deep sonar voice, to his exotic story telling about Indonesia, where he had been conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra for several years. Although many of his later compositions were influenced by Indonesian music, especially by the gamelan, the story for his epic work Jephthah was inspired by the Father – Daughter legend. The introduction, performed by the Alto Saxophone, is one of the most moving, poignant works ever written for saxophone.” - CMR