DESCRIPTION:
Jason Shiuan, Junior Saxophone Recital, Northwestern University
Sarah Campbell, flute
Adam Rothenberg, piano

Epitaphe de Jean Harlow by Charles Koechlin

Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. She was known as the "Platinum Blonde" and "The Blonde Bombshell" for her famous platinum blonde hair. Harlow starred in several films, mainly designed to showcase her magnetic sex appeal and strong screen presence. Harlow's enormous popularity and "laughing vamp" image were in distinct contrast to her personal life, which was marred by disappointment, tragedy, and ultimately, her sudden death from kidney failure at 26.
Although Jean Harlow was a famous actress, little was known of her personal life. To this day, many questions remain unanswered concerning her life and death. This sort of intrigue and mystery inspired Koechlin to write the Épitaphe de Jean Harlow. Koechlin sought to capture the complex uncertainties of Harlow's life through his music. Koechlin clouds the theme through the complexity of the counter melodic lines, much as Harlow's personal life was clouded. As the work develops, each new section brings life and a sense of re-birth. The composition meets its climax near the end of the selection where the flute and alto saxophone play in close harmony with each other. This section metaphorically shows that Harlow's life had just begun to blossom and reach full potential when she died. The piece concludes with three subtle chords to mark the ending of a beautiful life.