Saxophone, Paris 1860s

The saxophone quartet combines mellow resonance and delicate expression. Today, it is a chamber music form that is familiar to many people, from various popular quartets to enthusiasts' ensembles and students who enjoy wind music.

The saxophone quartet performance style was established by 20th century master Marcel Mule. It is no exaggeration to say that most of the saxophone quartets we hear and play today stand on an approach based on Mule's tradition.

However, the history of the saxophone goes back nearly another century beyond Mule's time, to the mid-19th century. What kind of chamber music did Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, play at the Imperial Conservatory of Music (now the Paris Conservatory)? What were the sounds of 160 years ago that have been forgotten in exchange for the excellent notation of Saint-Juliet?

This is an attempt to explore the ensemble music and performance culture of the early days of the saxophone based on newly discovered materials.

The concerto by St. Julay, with Daisuke Sakaguchi, who is also active in the forefront of ancient music performance, as soloist, will be accompanied by a saxophone quartet inspired by the string ensemble that performed at the Imperial Academy of Music examinations, and by a "double quartet" of eight members, which may be two of the compositions played at the time in the quartets. The sound of the 19th century is brought back to the present day.

Planning and supervision: Heita Yui (saxophone player)