Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet is a classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their unique sound and virtuosic performances for over three decades. Founded in 1982, the quartet has become one of the most respected and sought-after saxophone ensembles in the world. The founding members of the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet were Paul Cohen, Timothy Ruedeman, Stephen Rosenthal, and Daniel Deffayet. Cohen, who is considered one of the leading saxophonists of his generation, had previously studied with Deffayet in Paris and was inspired to form a saxophone quartet after hearing the Rascher Saxophone Quartet perform in the 1970s. Ruedeman and Rosenthal were both students of Cohen at the Manhattan School of Music, and Deffayet was a renowned saxophonist and professor at the Paris Conservatory. The quartet's name was inspired by the Hudson River, which flows through the New York City area where the group was formed. The ensemble's mission was to showcase the versatility and expressive range of the saxophone, and to promote the saxophone quartet as a legitimate chamber music ensemble. The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet quickly gained a reputation for their innovative programming and virtuosic performances. They performed a wide range of repertoire, from classical works by Bach and Mozart to contemporary pieces by composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich. The quartet also commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary composers, including David Maslanka, Libby Larsen, and Michael Torke. One of the highlights of the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet's career was their performance at the 1986 World Saxophone Congress in Tokyo, Japan. The quartet's performance was widely praised for their technical precision and expressive playing, and they were awarded the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque for their recording of the Maslanka Quartet. The quartet also performed at numerous other prestigious venues and festivals, including the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Tanglewood Music Festival. They were also featured on several recordings, including their critically acclaimed album "American Dreams" which featured works by American composers such as John Adams and Aaron Copland. Over the years, the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet has undergone several personnel changes. Cohen and Ruedeman remain as founding members, and they have been joined by soprano saxophonist Steven Mauk and baritone saxophonist Jonathan Bergeron. The quartet continues to perform and record, and they remain committed to promoting the saxophone quartet as a legitimate and expressive chamber music ensemble. In conclusion, the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet is a classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of chamber music. Their innovative programming, virtuosic performances, and commitment to promoting the saxophone quartet as a legitimate ensemble have earned them a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading saxophone ensembles in the world.

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