Rasch Arcis Saxophon Quartett

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Italienisches Konzert in F Major, BWV 971 (Arr. for Saxophone Quartet):
• 1 I. [Allegro] 00:11
• 2 I. Andante 04:47
• 3 III. Presto 03:51
• George Gershwin (1898 - 1937): Porgy & Bess Suite (Arr. for Saxophone Quartet):
• 4 I. Jasbo Brown 03:29
• 5 II. Summertime 03:40
• 6 III. There's a Boat Leaving Soon 03:35
• 7 IV. It Ain't Necessarily So 02:19
• 8 V. Finale 03:54
• Franco Donatoni (1927 - 2000): Rasch II (1995)
• 9 Rasch II 11:23
• Total Runtime 37:09

Info for Rasch

Their tone is stunningly beautiful, their arrangements sophisticated, and they play together with such precision that we’re convinced we’re hearing an organ. This is the Arcis Saxophone Quartet. The successful Munich-based ensemble is presenting its GENUIN debut release after winning first prizes at no fewer than five major international competitions. The program features works by Bach, Gershwin, and the breathtakingly virtuosic Rasch by Franco Donatoni, which gave the album its name. With its lively and spirited sound, the performances prove to be a true delight: Bach is light and transparent, Gershwin exuberant and unbelievably driven – highly recommended listening! Arcis Saxophon Quartett
Guests:
Erika Mikami, piano
Patrick Stapleton, percussion

Arcis Saxophon Quartett
“A splendid ensemble that still plays “with fire,” innovative and fervently committed to superb music-making.”

The four young Munich musicians inspire their audiences with this burning passion, letting the sparks fly with their authentic and charismatic stage presence in a rare chamber music formation.

Working with great professionalism and refinement, they probe the relationship between individual expressiveness and the interdependence among chamber music partners. In the process, they radiate a joy of music-making and depth of expression that captivates their listeners.

For the quartet, the year 2013 was notable for many important achievements at the international level: they won first prizes at the Kulturkreis Gasteig Music Competition in Munich (as well as the audience prize), International Music Competition Pietro Argento (Italy), and the First Classical Music International “Chance Music” Internet Festival (Russia). They were also awarded third prize at the 13th International Chieri International Music Competition (Italy). This was followed in 2014 by second prize at the Chamber Music Competition of the Alice Samter Foundation (Berlin) and first prize at the Fourth International Contest of Chamber Ensemble Performance in Magnitogorsk (Russia) in 2015. The following year they won first prize at the inaugural Rising Stars Grand Prix Berlin. The ensemble also won the 2016 Bavarian State Award for the Advancement of Arts in addition to a T. Rogler Foundation Scholarship, City of Munich Music Scholarship, and Siemens Music Foundation Scholarship.

The ensemble was founded in 2009 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich. They studied chamber music in the class of the Artemis Quartet Berlin as well as in Munich with Koryun Asatryan and Friedemann Berger. The Arcis Saxophone Quartet has been an ensemble of the European Chamber Music Academy since 2015.

The quartet has been taking the world’s stages by storm: after their international debuts at the Great Hall of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and London’s Wigmore Hall, a further milestone in their career will take place in 2017: an invitation to the Berliner Philharmonie.

Booklet for Rasch