SAXOPHONE QUARTET MUSIC
Contemporary Saxophone Quartet Music & Repertoire
This collection of contemporary saxophone quartet music presents works written for performers seeking new repertoire for concerts, competitions, and advanced study. These compositions explore the full expressive and coloristic range of the saxophone family, highlighting ensemble blend, rhythmic vitality, and the unique timbral possibilities of soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. This page provides an overview of available works, including instrumentation details, program notes, and score information.
SAXOPHONE QUARTET
for four saxophones (SATB)
Duration:
15 minutes
Instrumentation:
soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Year Composed:
1999
Written For:
Raschèr Saxophone Quartet
Commissioned By:
Fromm Music Foundation
Premiere Performance:
July 1, 2001
Freiburg, Germany
Raschèr Saxophone Quartet
Carina Raschèr, soprano saxophone
Harry White, alto saxophone
Bruce Weinberger, tenor saxophone
Kenneth Coon, baritone saxophone
Movements:
Introduction
Recitative No. 1 - Alto
Circles
recitative No. 2 - Tenor
Evening Thoughts
Recitative No.3 - Baritone
Scherzo
Recitative No. 4 - Soprano
Finale
About Saxophone Quartet
Saxophone Quartet is a substantial, multi‑movement work written for the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet and commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation. The piece explores the ensemble’s choral qualities, its wide coloristic range, and the balance between blend and individuality. Five movements are interwoven with four solo recitatives—one for each instrument—creating a large‑scale arc that highlights both the unity and the distinct voices of the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.
For the Performers
Level: Ideal for professional saxophone quartets; also suitable for advanced students exploring blend, color, and extended ensemble roles.
Programming: Works well in contemporary chamber concerts, saxophone‑ensemble recitals, and programs seeking a substantial, multi‑movement centerpiece.
Competitions / Auditions: Suitable for competitions and auditions that value ensemble cohesion, coloristic writing, and expressive contrast.
Style: Five movements and four recitatives balancing homogeneity with individuality, lyrical writing with rhythmic drive.
Venue Fit: Effective in medium‑sized halls where blend, resonance, and timbral detail can be fully appreciated.
Program Notes
The saxophone quartet, as a musical medium, is one of the richest in its contrasting colors, versatility, and expressions. For me, saxophone quartet music is also the closest to the human choir. While writing my saxophone quartet, I felt intrigued to explore the technical, timbral, rhythmic, and lyrical aspects of the ensemble. The four saxophones can create a homogeneous texture but can also express their own individuality and uniqueness. Therefore, the quartet consists of five movements and four recitatives, one for each saxophone. The recitatives serve a dual purpose: to feature one saxophone at a time on one hand and to lead to the next movement on the other. Saxophone Quartet was commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation and received its first performance by the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet.
About Saxophone Quartet Music
The saxophone quartet offers a distinctive blend of homogeneity and contrast, combining four related instruments with unique individual colors. Writing for this ensemble allows for a wide range of expressive possibilities, from lyrical lines and warm blended textures to virtuosic rhythmic interplay and bold contemporary techniques. These works contribute to the expanding repertoire for saxophone quartet, providing performers with engaging, dynamic, and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Saxophone Quartet Repertoire List
Early to Mid 20th Century
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Jean Françaix – Petit Quatuor – 1935
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Eugène Bozza – Andante et Scherzo – 1938
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Alexander Glazunov – Saxophone Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 109 – 1932
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Florent Schmitt – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1943
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Pierre Max Dubois – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1962
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Alfred Desenclos – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1964
Late 20th Century
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Russell Peck – Drastic Measures – 1976
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Franco Donatoni – Hot – 1989
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Iannis Xenakis – XAS – 1987
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Karlheinz Stockhausen – Knabenduett – 1980
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Tristan Murail – Les Ruines circulaires – 1986
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David Maslanka – Mountain Roads – 1997
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Michael Torke – July – 1995
Late 20th/Early 21st Century
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Tania León – Esencia – 2009
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Georg Friedrich Haas – Saxophone Quartet No. 2 – 2016
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Salvatore Sciarrino – Pagine – 2002
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Jennifer Higdon – Short Stories – 2013
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Augusta Read Thomas – Saxophone Quartet – 2012
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Chen Yi – Ba Yin – 2001
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Joan Tower – Fascinating Ribbons – 2001
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Guillaume Connesson – Techno Parade – 2002
