Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Chamber

 

The Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their unique sound and virtuosic performances for over three decades. The quartet was founded in 1989 by four talented saxophonists who shared a passion for chamber music and a desire to explore the possibilities of the saxophone as a classical instrument. The founding members of the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet were Arno Bornkamp (soprano saxophone), Niels Bijl (alto saxophone), Johan van der Linden (tenor saxophone), and Willem van Merwijk (baritone saxophone). All four musicians were graduates of the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam and had already established themselves as soloists and chamber musicians before coming together to form the quartet. From the beginning, the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet set out to expand the repertoire for saxophone quartet by commissioning new works from contemporary composers and arranging existing classical pieces for their unique instrumentation. Their first album, released in 1991, featured works by Bach, Debussy, and Ravel, as well as a new composition by Dutch composer Theo Loevendie. Over the years, the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet has continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with the saxophone, collaborating with composers and musicians from a wide range of genres and backgrounds. They have premiered works by such notable composers as Louis Andriessen, Guus Janssen, and Jacob ter Veldhuis, and have performed with jazz legends like Chick Corea and Toots Thielemans. One of the highlights of the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet's career was their performance at the 1994 World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain. Their program, which included works by Bach, Debussy, and Piazzolla, was met with enthusiastic applause from the international audience and helped to establish the quartet as one of the leading ensembles in the world of classical saxophone. In addition to their performances, the Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet has also been recognized for their recordings. They have released over a dozen albums, many of which have received critical acclaim and awards. Their 2001 album, "Saxophone Quartets," which featured works by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and Michael Nyman, won the Edison Award, the most prestigious music award in the Netherlands. The Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet has undergone some changes in membership over the years, but has remained a vital force in the world of classical music. Today, the quartet consists of Arno Bornkamp (soprano saxophone), Ties Mellema (alto saxophone), Niels Bijl (tenor saxophone), and Miguel Boelens (baritone saxophone). They continue to tour extensively, performing at major concert halls and festivals around the world, and inspiring a new generation of saxophonists to explore the possibilities of the instrument in classical music.

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