Raschèr Saxophone Quartet


The Raschèr Saxophone Quartet is a professional ensemble of four saxophonists which performs [European European classical music|classical music|classical] and modern music.
The quartet was founded in the United States in 1969 by prominent classical saxophonist Sigurd Raschèr and his daughter, Carina. Some years later the quartet relocated to Germany and has been based there ever since.
The Quartet has appeared at major concert halls in Europe and the United States, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Opera Bastille Paris, Royal Festival Hall in London, Kölner Philharmonie, Concertgebouw, Schauspielhaus Berlin, Berliner Philharmonie, Musikverein Vienna, Tonhalle Zürich.
The quartet has received strong reviews and was acclaimed as the "Uncrowned Kings of the Saxophone" by the Wiener Zeitung.
WWW raschersaxophonequartet.c...YT raschersaxophonequartet

Personnel

  • Linda Bangs-Urban, baritone saxophone, 1969–1992
  • Kenneth Coon, baritone saxophone, 1992–2019
  • John-Edward Kelly, alto saxophone, 1981–1990
  • Christine Rall, soprano saxophone, 2002–present
  • Carina Raschèr, soprano saxophone, 1969–2002
  • Sigurd Raschèr, alto saxophone, 1969–1980
  • Elliot Riley, alto saxophone, 2001–2024
  • Morgan Webster, alto saxophone, 2024–present
  • Bruce Weinberger, tenor saxophone, 1969–2014
  • Harry Kinross White, alto saxophone, 1990–2001
  • Andreas van Zoelen, tenor saxophone, 2014–present
  • Oscar Trompenaars, baritone saxophone, 2019–2023; 2024–present
  • Iria Garrido Meira, baritone saxophone, 2023–2024

Original works written for the quartet

Sigurd Raschèr's tireless pursuit of classical composers led many of them to compose works dedicated to the quartet. The continued efforts by the group after Sigurd Raschèr's departure, combined with the impressive technical and musical abilities of the quartet, have led over 250 composers to dedicate works to the group.
Composers who have written for the group include:

Recordings

Recitals:Strange Exclaiming Music - Eric Moe; NAXOS 7951592The Concerto Project, Volume 3 - Philip Glass; OMM0042Victoria Borisova-Ollas - The Triumph of Heaven - Victoria Borisova-Ollas; PSCD 171Saxophone - Philip Glass; OMM0006Europe - Hindemith, Penderecki, Halffter, Nørgard, Xenakis; BIS-CD 1153America - Wuorinen, Corbett, Starer, Adler, Florio, Peterson; BIS-CD 953Music for Saxophones - Bach, Glazounov, Reich, Starer, Keuris, Koch; Cala CD 77003The Raschèr Saxophone Quartet - Xenakis, Bergman, Dünser, Denhoff, Bialas, Terzakis; Caprice 21435The Rascher Saxophone Quartet - Bach, Glaser, Karkoff, Koch, Maros, Sandstrom; Caprice 21349Works Of Nicola Lefanu - Karkoff, LeFanu, Maros, Urbanner; Col Legno
Concerti written for the Raschèr Quartet with Orchestra:
Works for Saxophone Quartet and VoicesCircadian Rhythms:Mathew Rosenblum - Mathew Rosenblum, Calmus Ensemble; New World Records 80736Chorbuch-Les Inventions Dadolphe - Mauricio Kagel, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Klaas Stok, Cond.; Winter & Winter 910 191-2Canticum Novissimi Testamenti II - Luciano Berio, London Sinfonietta Voices, Seymon Bychkov, Cond.; Philips 446 094-2
Works with other instruments:
  • Die Kunst der Fuge - Bach, Carsten Klomp, Organ.; No LabelNew York Counterpoint - Bach, Denhoff, Grieg, Kastner, Reich, Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra, Bruce Weinberger, Cond.; BIS-NL-CD-5023Gubaidulina - Kroumata Percussion Ensemble; BIS-CD 710
  • Anders Nilsson: KRASCH! - Gubaidulina, Nilsson, Kox, Kroumata Percussion Ensemble; Caprice 21441

Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra

The Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra is a professional saxophone orchestra with 12 musicians, was founded in 1999 or 2000. It is conducted by Bruce Weinberger, the tenor saxophonist in the Raschèr Quartet, and includes among its ranks the current members of the quartet as well as some former members.