About
Since its formation in 1969, the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet has appeared regularly at the major concert halls in Europe, Asia and the U.S. The ensemble carries on a tradition established in the 1930’s by the pioneer of the classical saxophone and founding member of the quartet Sigurd Raschèr, who animated many composers to write music especially for him. In a similar fashion, the quartet has inspired over 300 composers to dedicate music to them. All of these composers have shared an enthusiasm for the four musicians’ unique homogeneous tone quality, virtuosity and dynamic interpretation of new and old music.
Numerous composers have been fascinated with the combination of the Raschèrs and orchestra, which has resulted in more than 40 new works for that combination as well as invitations from many of the world’s leading orchestras. In addition to the Raschèr Quartet’s numerous solo recitals and collaborations with the world’s leading orchestras, the Quartet has performed with many various instrumental and vocal combinations.
The Raschèr Quartet is a musical democracy. Therefore, in contrast to many other chamber ensembles, the quartet has no leader.
“If there were an Olympic discipline for virtuoso wind playing, the Raschèr Quartet would definitely receive a gold medal.”
— Die Welt
Christine
Rall
Soprano saxophone
Elliot
Riley
Alto saxophone
Andreas
van Zoelen
Tenor saxophone
Iria
Garrido Meira
Baritone saxophone
Highlighted collaborations
Composers
Aho
Berio
Bergman
Bialas
Dean
Denhoff
Donatoni
Auerbach
Franke
Glass
Gubaidulina
Halffter
Kagel
Kaipainen
Kancheli
Keuris
de Raaff
Maros
Moe
Nilsson
Nordgren
Nørgard
Rosenblum
Raskatov
Sandström
Say
Stucky
Terzakis
Tüür
Wuorinen
Xenakis
Chen Yi
Orchestras
Gewandhaus Leipzig
the Staatskapelle Dresden
the Symphony Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio Orchestra
Bergen Philharmonic
American Composer’s Orchestra
Saint Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome
Gulbenkian Orchestra Lisbon
Malaysian National Orchestra
Orchestre de Paris
Pilharmonique Strasbourg
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Residentie Orchestra of the Hague
Berlin Sinfonie Orchestra
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Philharmonisches Orchester Kiel
Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Camerata Bern
Vienna Symphony
BBC London Symphony
SWR Baden-Baden
MDR Orchestra Leipzig
Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Stuttgart
Radio-Sinfonie Orchestra Cologne
I Fiamminghi philharmonie zuidnederland
the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Various ensembles
Christian Lindberg
The Kroumata Percussion Ensemble
The London Voices
The Rias Chamber Choir
The Finnish Radio Choir
The Belgian Radio Choir Collegium Musicale Estonia
The Icelandic National Cathedral Choir
The Netherlands Chamber Choir
The Estonian National Male Choir The West German Radio Choir