Intersections

Website(s) : http://www.zzyzxquartet.com

Zzyzx Quartet is passionate about advancing the repertoire for quartet and also preserving its rich heritage.

Biography

Described as “a superb ensemble with impeccable musical taste” (The Saxophone Journal) the Zzyzx Quartet was formed in 2007. As an ensemble, they have presented performances throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as numerous masterclasses and workshops across the continental United States. Zzyzx is committed to the advancement of saxophone quartet repertoire and has commissioned and premiered new works by composers such as John Mackey, David Maslanka, David Rakowski, and John Leszczynski among others. The group’s second CD, “Intersections” was released in 2013, featuring standard repertoire, new commissions, and transcriptions.

More information

As an ensemble, Zzyzx Quartet is passionate about advancing the repertoire for quartet and also preserving its rich heritage. This program, “Intersections”, follows the same path as Zzyzx’s most recent CD of the same name, incorporating one standard work from the repertoire, one newly written composition, and one transcription.

For the occasion of the World Saxophone Congress, we would propose the following three works in concert. First, “XAS” by Iannis Xenakis, which is a very important part of the standard repertoire for saxophone quartet. Second, “Songs for the Coming Day” (Movement VIII) by David Maslanka, as a new work for saxophone quartet, written in 2013. Lastly, from Marc-Andre Hamelin’s 12 Etudes in Minor Keys, “V. Étude à mouvement perpétuellement semblable, after Alkan”, a new transcription from the piano repertoire, arranged for quartet by Matthew Evans.