A Sonata for When Time Stands Still (2020) – ca. 14'

soprano saxophone and piano 
Note: This work is scored in three movements; all movements can be performed standalone, or in any consecutive combination (i.e., Movements I then II only, or Movements II then III only).
Commissioned by Young Concert Artists, Inc. for saxophonist Steven Banks
Premiere performance
Steven Banks, soprano saxophone, and Xak Bjerken, piano streaming online (March 5, 2021)
PROGRAM NOTE
This work is scored for soprano saxophone and piano, and is organized into three movements: I. Largo, II. Vivace, and III. Pesante. In this work, I sought to compose a work in the Western sonata form structure byway of the use of materials extracted from the Arabic music traditional playing technique. Writing for the saxophone itself presented its own challenge as it is not an instrument at all associated with the music of the Middle East. This proved to be a blessing in disguise during the creative process, as it gave me a special opportunity to interpret many of these already unique gestures in my own personal way.
REVIEWS
Faced away from us, he began by playing quiet multiphonics on his soprano sax. Eventually, he turned toward the camera while playing a slow, leaping melody that mixed in quarter-tones and more multiphonics — a wonderful combination of grinding dissonance and just slightly off-kilter consonance. Later, the extended techniques met a mournful tune, giving off a sense of expressivity corrupted.

– Jarrett Hoffman, Cleveland Classical
In the three-movement piece, Haddad combines an improvisation on the ney, the traditional flute of the Middle East, by Bassam Sabba (who died in Lebanon of complications from COVID-19 late last year), with the arpeggios from Bach’s Cello Suite No.1. The result is a work for soprano sax and piano that is alternatively mysterious and exuberant. Particularly evocative is the third movement which begins with a dramatic piano introduction before evolving into a haunting, lyrical dialogue between the two instruments.

– Rick Perdian, Seen and Heard International
Saad Haddad explains his creative process behind ​A Sonata for When Time Stands Still.