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Program
Offerings
New Traditions
The traditional music of the countries and ethnicities represented here has not only had a lasting influence on chamber music composed following serious study of this music but has endured as a tradition that remains alive and vibrant. Beginning with great works of the chamber music canon that have heavily used the folk tradition, this program then proceeds to a catalog of great traditional music from around the globe arranged for saxophone quartet specifically for this program ending with highly virtuosic music and great fun.
Antonín DvoÅ™ák (1841-1904)/arr. DSQ
String Quartet No. 12 in F Major "American" (1893) (20 minutes)
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Lento
III. Molto vivace
IV. Finale: vivace ma non troppo
György Ligeti (1923-2006)/arr. DSQ
Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet (1953) (13 minutes)
I. Allegro con spirit
II. Rubato. Lamentoso
III. Cantabile, molto legato
IV. Vivace. Energico
V. Adagio. Mesto - Belá Bartók in memoriam
VI. Vivace. Capriccioso
Leó Weiner (1885-1960)/Graser
CsűrdöngölÅ‘ (1932) (3 minutes)
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-Intermission-
Jay Ungar (b. 1946)/Graser
Ashokan Farewell (1982) (6 minutes)
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Bela Fleck (b. 1958)/Graser
UFO Tofu (1992) (4 minutes)
Mark O’Connor (b. 1961)/Graser
Appalachia Waltz (1993) (7 minutes)
Traditional/Graser
Reel Set (7 minutes)
Emily’s Reel (Mark O’Connor)
Angeline the Baker (Stephen Foster)
Mason’s Apron (Traditional)
Salt Creek (Bill Monroe)
Irish Traditional/Graser
The Green Groves of Erin/The Flowers of Red Hill (3 minutes)
Spirits in the Machine
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Inspired by the writings of composer Marc Mellits of the saxophone quartet functioning as one machine powered by four
individuals, this program highlights contemporary works for the ensemble influenced by funk, soul, post-minimalism; all with a
lyrical tone that fuses with earlier works from the chamber music/classical canon that highlight a full palette of compositional
and instrumental colors.
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Chris Hass (b. 1993)
Volcanic Ash (2017) (8 minutes)
*Winner of 2017 DSQ Composition Competition
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)/Graser
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (1825) (15 minutes)
III. Molto Adagio “Heiliger Dankgesang”
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Marc Mellits (b. 1966)
Ex Machina (2017) (17 minutes)
Machine I (let the funk out)
Machine II (flowing)
Machine III (not quite, but almost pensive; sunflowers in love)
Machine IV (dancing a mean ghastly dance)
Machine V (the morning after)
Machine VI (flowing, lyrical, & songlike)
Machine VII (aggressive & funky)
-Intermission-
David Biedenbender (b. 1984)
Cerulean (2017) (14 minutes)
I. Sirens
II. Lullaby
III. Goof Groove
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)/Graser
Selections from Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080 (post. 1751) (8 minutes)
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John Mackey (b. 1973)
Unquiet Spirits (2012) (12 minutes)
I.
II.
III.
Sax Encounterpoint​
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The juxtaposition of the masterworks of Bach and Beethoven showcases not only the influence of counterpoint on
Beethoven’s writing but also the versatility of the saxophone quartet’s timbre. Whether showing fiercely independent lines or
moments of supreme homogeneity, these works lend themselves to the saxophone quartet in beguiling fashion.
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J.S. Bach (1685 – 1750)/Graser
Goldberg Variations BWV 988 (40 minutes)
-Intermission-
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)/Graser
String Quartet in C# Minor, Op. 131 (1826) (35 minutes)
I. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
II. Allegro molto vivace
III. Allegro moderato - Adagio
IV. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
V. Presto
VI. Adagio quasi un poco andante
VII. Allegro
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)/Graser
String Quartet Op. 59 No. 3 “Razumovsky” (1808) (5 minutes)
IV. Allegro Molto
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*Additional selections/substitutions available for this program:
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)/Graser
Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080 (post. 1751) (50 minutes)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)/Graser
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (1825) (15 minutes)
III. Molto Adagio “Heiliger Dankgesang”
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)/Graser
String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95 “Serioso” (1810) (20 minutes)
I. Allegro con brio
II. Allegretto ma non troppo
III. Allegro assai vivace ma serioso
IV. Larghetto espressivo; Allegretto agitato; Allegro
Concerto Offerings​
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Sinta Quartet loves sharing the stage with both orchestras and bands, and they have performed with orchestras such as the Reno Philharmonic and the Dupage Symphony Orchestra, and wind groups such as the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the University of Michigan Symphony Band, and the French Republican Guard Band. Here is a list of works that feature saxophone quartet with a large ensemble:
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With Orchestra:
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William Bolcom - Concerto Grosso
Matthew Browne - Cabinet of Curiosities
Philip Glass - Concerto
Steven Mackey - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral
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With Band/Wind Ensemble:
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David Biedenbender - Severance
William Bolcom - Concerto Grosso
Matthew Browne - Cabinet of Curiosities
Michael Colgrass - Urban Requiem
David Maslanka - Concerto
Scott McAllister - X2
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