Chant Lyrique Op. 69 - Alto Sax and Piano

Chant Lyrique op. 69 for saxophone and piano was finished on February 6, 1932. It was composed for François Combelle, solo saxophonist of the Garde Républicaine. Chant Lyrique was so popular, that Decruck created multiple versions. Chant Lyrique was significant as it marked the first time a female composer’s composition entered into the repertoire of the Garde Républicaine. Chant Lyrique was used for many years as an audition piece for the Garde Républicaine. It was such a successful piece that Decruck orchestrated it for Marcel Mule. On March 9, 1938, Mule performed it at the Toulouse Conservatory where Decruck was a faculty member. In addition, Pierre Dupont transcribed it for the Garde Républicaine and Decruck revisited the work in the late 1940’s, orchestrating it for piano and wind quintet. Decruck subsequently wrote five more works for saxophone and piano titled Chant Lyrique.