GRIEG - BACH - LIGETI - LAGO - Melisma Saxophone Quartet

Melisma Saxophone Quartet is an ambitious international ensemble, whose members origin from four different countries. Since its formation in Amsterdam in 2009 the quartet has distinguished itself as a very talented group performing chamber music on a remarkable high level.

The quartet is performing throughout Europe and around the world. Apart from playing concerts the quartet has achieved brilliant results in major international chamber music competitions.

In May 2011 the quartet was invited to participate in the prestigious 7th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan as the first Dutch ensemble ever. Not only did they win the 4th place, but they also received honorable mentions for their performances in one of the worlds most prestigious chamber music competitions with an international renowned jury.

Melisma Saxophone Quartet’s repertoire encompasses many different styles and genres. The traditional repertoire for saxophone quartet is fundamental to the group, but the quartet is also curious to find new repertoire and they often do their own arrangements.

Melisma Saxophone Quartet is an open-minded ensemble. They enjoy collaborating with other musicians, exploring different musical styles and new ways of performing e.g. by combining the visual concept of a performance with the music itself to take the concert experience to another level.

Melisma Saxophone Quartet has performed in major concert halls in the Netherlands and abroad, for instance in The Manuel de Falla Hall (Madrid, Spain), Izumi Hall (Osaka, Japan), National Centre of Performing Arts Beijing (China), and at major festivals such as The 1st Bach Festival in Dordrecht (NL), The Davos Festival (Switzerland), The Grieg in Bergen Festival (Norway) and The World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews (Scotland). The quartet has also played live several times on the Dutch national Radio 4 directly from the Spiegelzaal in Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Schouwburg (Rotterdam) and Tivoli Vredenburg (Uttrecht).

Four nationalities (Swiss, Danish, Spanish and Dutch) come together in the quartet and create their own musical language. That is one of the things that makes this group unique and each concert is an exciting chamber music experience!