Historical information about Händel's Water Music Suites is limited, but certainly these works were intended for two, possibly three, parties given by King George I on the Thames River, London, between 1715 and 1736. Händel and his orchestra played on a barge. Since then the some twenty-two separate original pieces have been organized into three Suites and nicknamed 'Water Music?, each having a separate key and likely corresponding to these river parties. This transcription of Water Music Suite II for saxophone quartet has two purposes: to make this music available to saxophonists for performance and education, and to provide in one volume the entire Suite II. The exception to the latter, because of the limits of endurance, is the exclusion of the short Adagio, a brief interlude between the fi rst two movements. Included though are the Allegro, Hornpipe, Minuet, Lentement, and Bourree. These works were originally meant for an outdoor performance, and one of the original intentions of the saxophone was to play in French military bands, also an open-air purpose. The original scoring of brass, woodwind, and string instruments (but no continuo) transcribe well for saxophones. Matching the ranges of instruments of the original to the saxophone quartet was a primary objective. In addition, this arrangement strives to disperse melodic material to all four saxophones so as to make the arrangement pleasing to all the members of the quartet while providing variety to an audience. Any dynamic, articulation, and tempo markings are to be taken only as suggestions so as to allow interpretation by the performers. The musical study and performance of all styles while using examples of composition and performance that represent excellence is necessary for saxophonists who wish to be well-rounded musicians. For the above reasons saxophonists are urged to listen to recordings of the original orchestration in order to learn and imitate proper interpretation of Baroque style. There are currently a number of excellent recordings of Handel's Suites on period instruments, such as (but not limited to) those by conductors John Eliot Gardiner, Christopher Hogwood, and the ensemble Tafelmusik. The Lewis-Clark State College Saxophone Quartet has for many years enjoyed performing Suite II for concerts, ceremonies and social settings, and I thank Advance Music for the opportunity to bring these great works to the profession. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

The Pavane for a Dead Princess is considered to be one of Ravel's most popular works. The solemn and stately court dance strutting along in an even pulse turns into a melancholic, yet not sombre dirge.This Pavane is dedicated to the Princess of Polignac. Trying to put a stop to rampant poetic interpretations of the composition's title, Ravel made a point of stating that ?When I phrased the title, I was merely interested in having the fun of creating a pun. Pavane pour une Infante Défunte - the alliterations can hardly be ignored.' The arrangement on hand is in line with the orchestral version written by Ravel himself in 1910 and constitutes part of the series Ravel for Saxophone Quartet including publications of, among others, Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose), Trois Chansons (Three Songs) and Le Tombeau de Couperin. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

Czardas is a piece for a Saxophone quartet (SATB) by Vittorio Monti. This composition arranged by Armando Ghidoni lasts 5’30 minutes and has a name taken from a Hungarian National Dance. Divided into six distinctive parts this piece is really cheerful and energetic. It requires some really strong technique as some sections are really fast. - Lento cadenza a piacere / Largo Maestoso - Vivace - Lento Maestoso - Vivace - Piu Mosso - Presto Czardas is the most famous piece by Vittorio Monti which was also arranged for other instruments: Violin andGuitar String quartet and accordion among others. It is a really entertaining work to play that will definitely be enjoyed by the audience during a recital. Vittorio Monti is an Italian composer mandolinist and violinist who worked in many gypsy orchestras.

This work was first performed by the Rascher Quartet in July 1995 at the Schleswig Holstein Festival in Hasselburg Germany. A version of the work with orchestral accompaniment 'Concerto for Four Saxophones' was premiered by theRascher Quartet with the Stockholm Radio Orchestra in September 1995.Score available: DU10483

Les quatre danses qui composent ce recueil ont pour objectif de compléter la formation individuelle et, surtout, de faire aimer la musique d'ensemble. Les arrangements ont été spécialement écrits pour des clarinettistes ayant déjà 2 ou 3 années de pratique. Dans ces quatuors, chaque partie a un rôle précis et indispensable, que ce soit au niveau mélodique, rythmique, ou encore harmonique.MULBERRY BUSHCette célèbre danse traditionnelle anglaise, caractérisée par un 6/8 allant, débute par une exposition du thème, d'abord à l'unisson octavié, puis sous forme de mélodie harmonisée. Contrastant avec l'introduction, un développement de la mélodie s'ensuit, soutenu par des notes en valeurs longues. Une reprise du thème mène le développement vers une conclusion colorée.HAURRAK IKA SUZUELa gaieté se manifeste dès l'introduction de cette danse traditionnelle à caractère ostinato ternaire. L'accompagnement de la quatrième voix nous plonge dans un mouvement de valse malgré le chiffrage de mesure en 6/8. La mélodie est alternativement exposée par les première et quatrième voix tandis que les deuxième et troisième voix, plus discrètes, développent un soutien harmonique.BOUBLITCKHYCette danse aux accents typiquement russes est particulièrement intéressante dans la mesure où elle permet aux instrumentistes d'élaborer une lecture très personnelle. Malgré les indications de tempos, l'interprétation reste libre, dégageant un charme unique mêlant joie et nostalgie.DANSE BASQUE ESPAGNOLEDès les premières mesures de cette charmante Danse basque espagnole, la musique dépeint l'ambiance de cette magnifique région d'Espagne. L'introduction à l'unisson affirme admirablement le mode mineur quand survient, le mode Majeur. Le contraste est saisissant. La mécanique d'opposition entre Majeur et mineur s'installe et se répète avant d'aboutir à une conclusion brève mais déterminée. / Quatuor De Saxophones / 20 pages / niveau : Facile - Elémentaire / Set (Conducteur et parties séparées)

4 Mantras For Saxophone Quartet. Par SCHNEIDER ENJOTT. Panta rhei - tout est dans un état de flux ' est la ligne de fond de ce qu'en pense le philosophe grec Heraclitus. ' Tout est dans un Etat continuel de flux et de changement ' - lui, c'était ' logos ', ordre rationnel. Il est à l'interface entre la pensée personnelle et rituel archaïque que les quatre mantras pour quatuor de saxophones ont été créés. Dans l'hindouisme et le bouddhisme, ' mantras ' sont sacrées phrases, les messages clés, les ' instruments de pensée et d'expression '. Ils étaient adressées à des divinités comme une forme de culte et de mode de concentration et consistent principalement en des mots et des syllabes continuellement répétés. Dans cet esprit, chaque mouvement dans ' Panta rhei ' a été donné à un motif principal (surtout un geste base rythmique) qui est répété dans les variations et les cycles mais toujours différemment - dans un perpétuel état du flux. (Acteur Schneider)/ Répertoire / 4 Saxophones

Basée sur l'imaginaire antique encyclopaedia chinois de Jorge Luis Borges dans lequel le règne animal est décomposé en quatorze catégories telles que ' Frénétique créatures ' et ' Ceux appartenant à l'empereur ', ce quatuor se penche sur l'imagerie bizarre suggérée par ces rubriques. ' Le premier mouvement ' Chiens Stray ' tend, après le mode de ces créatures, soudainement à apparaître dans des lieux inattendus ' (Gilbert). Cette pièce animée de la musique de caractère ajouterait beaucoup variété à n'importe quel programme. / Quatuor De Saxophones

This work is scored for Saxophone Quartet. It was commissioned by the Rascher Saxophone Quartet and premiered at St. John's Smith Square in 1987. Parts available: NOV360113

6 Original Pieces for Saxophone Quartet. And we?re off! Otto M. Schwarz takes us on a tour of his native Austria in this six-movement work. Passing by the great landmarks of this beautiful country we?re travelling by narrow-gauge railway, by car and finally by high-speed train. Fabled castles, famous gardens in Salzburg (the Mirabell Gardens) and Vienna or the Schloss Esterházy, the palace in Burgenland, where Joseph Haydn worked for many years, are just as important as the mode of transport. As the saying goes, the journey is its own reward.

Par BURNETTE SONNY. As implied by its title, I Lost My Mouthpiece Cap Somewhere in Brazil is a Latin-style work. It is based almost exclusively on a two-chord montuno-a repeated pattern alternating between the supertonic seventh chord (ii7) and the dominant seventh (V7) chord./ Répertoire / 4 Saxophones

This work was first performed by the Rascher Quartet in July 1995 at the Schleswig Holstein Festival in Hasselburg Germany. A version of the work with orchestral accompaniment 'Concerto for Four Saxophones' was premiered by theRascher Quartet with the Stockholm Radio Orchestra in September 1995.Parts available: DU10494

Par BURNETTE SONNY. This Ain't Your Grandfather's Stinkin' Rondo was composed for the Osland Saxophone Quartet, based out of Lexington, Kentucky. It features the predictable return of the 'A' section sandwiched between contrasting sections... perhaps in a slightly more jazzy setting than grandfather was expecting, not to mention the improv section in the middle. Scored for SATB quartet./ Répertoire / 4 Saxophones