Kalevi Aho (b. 1949) composed his Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra (2014-2015) at the request of the saxophonist Anders Paulsson. The concerto is cast in three movements.

The first movement begins with a fairly long introduction, unfolding as an expanding, alluring melody for the soprano saxophone. Gradually, this melody spreads to encompass the instrument's entire register. In the background, the orchestral strings sustain only long, quiet pedal points.

The slow second...