Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble, also known as the German Saxophone Ensemble, is a classical music ensemble that specializes in saxophone music. The ensemble was founded in 1988 by a group of saxophonists who shared a passion for the instrument and its unique sound. Since then, the ensemble has become one of the most renowned saxophone ensembles in the world, known for its virtuosic performances and innovative programming. The founding members of Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble were Johannes Ernst, Andreas van Zoelen, Rainer Schottstädt, and Wolfgang Pfeifer. They were all graduates of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, one of the most prestigious music schools in Germany. The ensemble was initially formed as a quartet, but it soon expanded to include more members, allowing for a wider range of repertoire and more complex arrangements. Over the years, Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble has had many different members, but the core group has remained relatively stable. The current members of the ensemble are Johannes Ernst, Andreas van Zoelen, Rainer Schottstädt, Wolfgang Pfeifer, Marcus Weiss, and Daniel Gauthier. All of these musicians are highly skilled saxophonists with extensive experience performing in a variety of settings. One of the highlights of Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble's career was their performance at the World Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain in 1997. The ensemble was invited to perform as part of the prestigious event, which brings together some of the world's best saxophonists for a week of concerts, masterclasses, and workshops. Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble's performance was widely praised for its technical precision, musicality, and innovative programming. Another notable performance by Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble was their collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005. The ensemble was invited to perform as part of the orchestra's "Saxophone Days" festival, which featured a series of concerts and workshops focused on the saxophone. Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble's performance with the Berlin Philharmonic was a major success, and helped to raise the profile of the ensemble even further. In addition to their live performances, Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble has also released several critically acclaimed recordings. Their debut album, "Saxophon Mundi," was released in 1992 and featured a mix of classical and contemporary saxophone music. The album was praised for its technical excellence and innovative programming, and helped to establish Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble as a major force in the world of classical saxophone music. Since then, the ensemble has released several more albums, including "Saxophonissimo" (1996), "Saxophonissimo II" (2000), and "Saxophonissimo III" (2006). These albums have all been well-received by critics and audiences alike, and have helped to cement Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble's reputation as one of the world's leading saxophone ensembles. In addition to their performances and recordings, Deutsches Saxophon Ensemble has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1995, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious German Music Prize, which is given annually to outstanding musicians and ensembles in Germany. The ensemble has also been invited to perform at many of the world's most prestigious music festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms.

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