Clair-Obscur Sax Quartett - Paul Hindemith: Works for Saxophones

The saxophone has a rich timbre and a wide range of expressive possibilities, but despite its highly attractive features, the instrument was a late addition to the classical orchestra. Seen in this light, the work by the saxophone quartet clair-obscur which devotes itself intensively to classical works for saxophone takes on a particular significance. The ensemble�s repertoire is seemingly inexhaustible. From adventurous arrangements of piano music to string quartets, there is nothing the musicians leave untried. They employ their instruments to bring to life a myriad of different tonal colours and musical genres. Paul Hindemith is the focus of this CD: during the 1920s, he became enchanted by the tone of the saxophone, integrating it on a number of occasions into the scores of his stage works. The ensemble clair-obscur has a special interest in his chamber music, for example the Sonata for four horns and the composition Frankenstein�s Monstre Repertorie for string quartet. These works alongside the other compositions featured on this CD have been specially arranged for this saxophone ensemble production by Christoph Enzel.