top of page

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR SAXOPHONE QUARTET

Saxophone quartet | Saxophone quartets | Saxophone quartet scores | Sax quartet contemporary repertoire | Sax quartet contemporary composers | Saxophone quartet contemporary compositions | Contemporary saxophone quartet pieces | New sax quartet music | Saxophone quartet repertoire | Saxophone quartet modern compositions | Contemporary sax quartet sheet music | Saxophone quartet performance repertoire | Saxophone quartet concert pieces | Contemporary Music for Saxophone Quartet

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
Rascher 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

Contemporary Music for Saxophone Quartet

Contemporary Music for Saxophone Quartet

contemporary saxophone quartet repertoire

LISTEN

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.

VIEW SCORE

​​Score of Saxophone Quartet

Saxophone Quartet Works (20th & 21st Century)

Early to Mid 20th Century

  • Jean Françaix – Petit Quatuor – 1935

  • Eugène Bozza – Andante et Scherzo – 1938

  • Pierre Max Dubois – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1962

  • Alfred Desenclos – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1964

  • Paul Hindemith – Konzertstück – 1933

  • Alexander Glazunov – Saxophone Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 109 – 1932

  • Florent Schmitt – Quatuor pour saxophones – 1943

  • Darius Milhaud – Scaramouche – 1937

  • Astor Piazzolla – Fuga y Misterio – 1968

  • Pedro Iturralde – Suite Hellenique – 1994

Late 20th Century

  • David Maslanka – Mountain Roads – 1997

  • Russell Peck – Drastic Measures – 1976

  • Michael Torke – July – 1995

  • William Bolcom – Concerto Grosso – 2000

  • Franco Donatoni – Hot – 1989

  • Luciano Berio – Basso Continuo – 1983

  • Iannis Xenakis – XAS – 1987

  • Karlheinz Stockhausen – Knabenduett – 1980

  • Tristan Murail – Les Ruines circulaires – 1986

  • Gérard Grisey – Quatre chants pour franchir le seuil (quartet version) – 1998

21st Century

  • John Adams – Scratchband – 2019

  • Kaija Saariaho – Nymphea Reflection – 2001

  • Tania León – Esencia – 2009

  • Steve Reich – New York Counterpoint (quartet version) – 1985

  • Mark Andre – String Quartet (saxophone version) – 2015

  • Georg Friedrich Haas – Saxophone Quartet No. 2 – 2016

  • Salvatore Sciarrino – Pagine – 2002

  • Beat Furrer – String Quartet No. 3 (saxophone version) – 2004

  • Jennifer Higdon – Short Stories – 2013

  • Augusta Read Thomas – Saxophone Quartet – 2012

  • Chen Yi – Ba Yin – 2001

  • Jacob TV – Grab It – 1999

  • Joan Tower – Fascinating Ribbons – 2001

  • Guillaume Connesson – Techno Parade – 2002

  • Christian Lauba – Hard – 1999

  • John Harbison – Quartet for Saxophones – 1994

bottom of page