Signum Saxophonquartett is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1996 in Cologne, Germany. The quartet consists of four members, each of whom plays a different type of saxophone: Sebastian Pottmeier on soprano saxophone, Annette Maye on alto saxophone, Alan Luzar on tenor saxophone, and Guillaume Tétu on baritone saxophone. The ensemble's founding members, Pottmeier and Maye, met while studying at the Cologne University of Music. They were both interested in exploring the possibilities of the saxophone quartet, which was a relatively new and unexplored genre at the time. They recruited Luzar and Tétu to complete the quartet, and Signum Saxophonquartett was born. Since its founding, Signum Saxophonquartett has become one of the most renowned saxophone ensembles in the world. The quartet has won numerous awards and has performed at major venues and festivals around the globe. One of the ensemble's early highlights was winning the prestigious German Music Competition in 1998. This award helped to establish Signum Saxophonquartett as a serious contender in the classical music world. The quartet went on to win several other awards, including the International Chamber Music Competition in Osaka, Japan, in 2003. Signum Saxophonquartett has also performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Konzerthaus Berlin, and the Wigmore Hall in London. The quartet has also been invited to perform at major festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival, the Lucerne Festival, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was at the 2012 BBC Proms in London. Signum Saxophonquartett performed a program of contemporary music, including works by Steve Reich, György Ligeti, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. The quartet received rave reviews for their performance, with critics praising their technical skill and musicality. In addition to their performances, Signum Saxophonquartett has also recorded several albums. Their debut album, "Signum Saxophonquartett," was released in 2000 and featured works by Bach, Debussy, and Piazzolla. The quartet has since released several other albums, including "Saxophone Concertos" and "American Dreams." Signum Saxophonquartett is known for their innovative programming, which often includes contemporary works alongside more traditional repertoire. The quartet has commissioned several new works from composers such as Jörg Widmann, Wolfgang Rihm, and Georg Friedrich Haas. In addition to their performances and recordings, Signum Saxophonquartett is also committed to education and outreach. The quartet regularly gives masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have also established a saxophone quartet academy in Cologne. Overall, Signum Saxophonquartett has established themselves as one of the most exciting and innovative classical music ensembles of our time. With their technical skill, musicality, and commitment to new music, the quartet continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with the saxophone quartet genre.

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