Koh: [Word]Plays New Thread Quartet, Philipp Stäudlin, Noa Even

• Emily Koh (b. 1986):
• 1 Koh: Medi+ation 06:46
• 2 Koh: Homonym (Version for Saxophone Quartet) 07:07
• 3 Koh: Heteronym/ 07:07
• 4 Koh: Cryptonym: 11:37
• 5 Koh: B(locked.orders) 11:45
• Total Runtime 44:22

Info for Koh: [Word]Plays

Emily Koh draws interest out of the things many of us may not even notice, and these overlooked minutiae and intricacies lead to new horizons in her work. Her new album [word]plays is full of frenetic and sonorous beauty, and represents her interest and exploration of the sounds, meanings, and interpretations of words, as a multi-linguist artist whose native tongue is an English-based creole language (Singlish).

[word]plays is an album of microtonal works for saxophone(s) inspired by the similarly named literary technique in which witty word-use becomes the subject of the work. The central works in [word]plays are three saxophone quartets - homonym (2013), heteronym/ (2016) and cryptonym: (2018) - composed for the Amigo Saxophone Quartet, PRISM Quartet, and New Thread Quartet respectively. These quartets take their inspiration from the meanings of the compound words formed when the -onym suffix is attached after a root word.

Flanking the quartets are medi+aTion (2016) and b(locked.orders) (2019). These solo works are named with neologisms which include special symbols, giving these titles a polysemic quality. medi+aTion (2016) can be read as ‘meditation’ or ‘mediation’, and looks within for inner meanings and unfoldings. b(locked.orders) (2019) can be read as ‘blocked borders’ or ‘blocked orders’, and sonifies the stifled voices of immigrants in their adoptive countries, as well as silenced minorities within their home countries. The version of b(locked.orders), with video art by Michiko Saiki can be viewed at emilykoh.net

Philipp Stäudlin, baritone saxophone (track 1)
New Thread Quartet: (track 4)
Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, soprano saxophone
Kristen McKeon, alto saxophone
Erin Rogers, tenor saxophone
Zach Herchen, baritone saxophone
Noa Even, soprano saxophone (track 5)

Emily Koh
(b.1986) is a Singaporean composer and double bassist based in Atlanta, whose music is characterized by inventive explorations of the intricacies of sound. She is also an amateur multi-disciplinary artist and enjoys collaborating with creatives of other specializations, especially when sound plays a central role in the project.

New Thread Quartet
was formed with the mission to develop and perform impactful new music for the saxophone, and to provide high level ensemble playing to feature today's compositional voices. In 4 seasons, the quartet has commissioned and premiered 14 new works by composers such as Richard Carrick, Ben Hjertmann and Kathryn Salfelder, with upcoming commissions from Scott Wollschleger, Ryan Pratt and Max Grafe. Based in New York City, New Thread has performed at Carnegie Hall, Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Bang on a Can Summer Festival Benefit, and Monadnock Music, and has performed or recorded more than 30 important works for saxophone quartet including Kati Agocs' Hymn on New England Conservatory’s Composer Series at Jordan Hall, a revival of Michael Djupstrom's 2001 work Test at Arizona State University’s Katzin Concert Hall, and the premiere recording of Elliott Sharp's seminal work Approaching the Arches of Corti for 4 soprano saxophones, to be released on New World Records in 2016.

NTQ has a track record of working closely with composers in a workshop environment during the formation of new works and encourages composer attendance at rehearsals. The quartet strives for multiple performances of newly commissioned works in attempt to bring new music to different audiences as often as possible. Following its premiere in 2012 at the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews, Scotland, Richard Carrick's work Harmonixity received nearly a dozen public performances by New Thread.

The quartet encourages young composers to create new works for saxophones through an open submission policy, conducting reading/feedback sessions throughout the year. NTQ has conducted masterclasses, residencies, and performances for student saxophonists and composers at Peabody Conservatory, Bronx Community College, Aaron Copland School (Queens College), and NYU.

In high demand and recognized for its performance excellence, NTQ has received support from The Aaron Copland Fund, the Cary New Music Performance Fund, New Music USA, the FROMM Foundation, and the Queens Council on the Arts. NTQ is a presenting partner of Composers Now.

Philipp Stäudlin
is an award-winning virtuoso saxophonist that has performed hundreds of concerts throughout North America, Europe and Asia. His characteristic tonal qualities, deep sense of phrasing and superb technical skills make him one of the most unique voices in today’s classical saxophone world.


A native from Friedrichshafen, Germany, Stäudlin has appeared as a soloist with the Sinfonieorchester Basel, Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), Ensemble Sound Icon, Niederrheinische Sinfoniker, Callithumpian Consort, Bielefelder Philharmoniker, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, Tufts University Orchestra, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and The Providence Singers. Stäudlin has also performed with the Harvard Group for New Music, Equilibrium Ensemble, ECCE, Talea Ensemble, Steamboat Switzerland, Dinosaur Annex, Ensemble White Rabbit (former ensemble in Residence at Harvard University), Ludovico Ensemble, IGNM Basel, Alea III, Back Bay Chorale, and many others.

A graduate of Musikhochschule Basel, Stäudlin received a Soloist Diploma, having studied with Marcus Weiss and Iwan Roth. He was awarded a full scholarship two years in a row from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to study with Kenneth Radnofsky at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where he received an Artist Diploma, as well as the Victor Rosenbaum Medal.

Mr. Stäudlin has won many awards as both a saxophone soloist and chamber musician. As the youngest competitor, Stäudlin won First Prize and Audience Prize in the Gustav Bumcke International Saxophone Competition. As a former member of the New Art Saxophone Quartet he has received First Prize in the Chamber Music Competition of the German Music Foundation and the Artist in Residence newcomer’s award with German Radio, in which Jessye Norman received the main award. The New Art Saxophone Quartet was invited to be the representative of German musical culture on a visit to South Korea and Mongolia with Bundespresident Roman Herzog.

Philipp A. Stäudlin currently has 15 CD recordings available on New World Records, Tzadik, Albany Records, Innova Records, Suspicious Motives Records, New Focus Recordings, Navona Records, Newport Classics labels, Enja, and Ars Musici. He is a member of Ensemble Sound Icon, Callithumpian Consort, and the Equilibrium Ensemble. Stäudlin premiered more than 100 works. Philipp A. Stäudlin is a member of Hinge Ensemble, Ensemble Sound Icon, Guerilla Opera, and Callithumpian Consort. He teaches saxophone at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee in both the standard degree and contemporary music programs, and is also on the applied music faculty at Tufts University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He lives with his wife, pianist Yoko Hagino, and their daughter Anna in Melrose, Massachusetts.

Booklet for Koh: [Word]Plays