Saxotér (2025)
(for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra)

Saxotér, a new member of the “tér” (space) series of works, exposes a saxophone quartet in the midst of a large orchestra, which often does not look like four instruments, but rather like a large super saxophone. Compared to the clarinet or other woodwind instruments, the saxophones have relatively large bodies with complex mechanics. If you operate them without even making the reed vibrate, you hear key and air noises that could put some percussion instruments in the shade. By systematically exploring the technical and tonal possibilities, the saxophones are able to provide serious competition for the four percussionists in the orchestra. This competition inspires the rest of the orchestra to contribute similar percussive, air and other noise sounds to the overall event and give it a spatial effect. Before the unplayed mouthpieces feel neglected at this time, they are later used separately and turn out to be wonderful, voice-like instruments. In the introductory sections and in the later course of the extended middle section, the soloist quartet is also allowed to play saxophone and, with the help of the orchestra, let the large-scale form unfold via a firework-like culmination section and a rather tricky cadenza with an ethereal, microtonal ending. 

(Márton Illès)