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Sax, Stars & Cinema: A Hollywood Dream in Music

The Hollywood Songbook is one of the highlights of Musica Viva Australia’s 2025 season, and we’re thrilled to be part of it! Together with the incredible Ali McGregor, we’ll take audiences on a journey from the cabarets of Berlin to the golden age of Hollywood. The program features music by Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Aaron Copland, and more—composers whose works reflect the cultural and political upheavals of their time. It’s a mix of drama, nostalgia, and energy, brought to life through saxophone and voice in a way you’ve never heard before. Join us on tour across Australia from May 3 to May 17, 2025! For tickets and details, visit Musica Viva Australia. We can’t wait to share this music with you!

PODCAST DEUTSCHLANDFUNK @CLASSIC-POP-ET CETERA

Blaž and Alan have recorded a special program—a podcast—at Deutschlandfunk, featured on PopArt and other platforms. In this episode, we talk about our lives, our stories, our past and future, all while sharing our favorite music. From Joseph Haydn to the sounds of the Scorpions, we take you on a journey through the music that has shaped us. April 12, 2025 - 10:05 am - 11:05 am LINK

That Glorious Summer of 2015

It was that glorious summer of 2015—we were at a festival by Lake Geneva when it happened: David, a founding member who had shaped the quartet so profoundly for nine years, shared his decision to leave the group. An unforgettable pain accompanied us for months; we simply couldn’t process it. Nine years of stories, ups and downs, dreams, and visions—suddenly, all of it became the past, at least with David. But as crazy as it may sound—he’s back. And here we are in 2025, exactly nine years later, with the incredible feeling of being reunited once again. David on his return: Sometimes life takes turns that you don't think are possible. I experienced one such twist at the beginning of December 2024. I was sitting in my studio. Working on some videos and got a message. A casual glance at my cell phone. Blaz. I was happy inside. We had arranged to meet up in Berlin on December 15 - after we had last seen each other in real life in November 2018. I looked at the display, read the message and was immediately in another world. 1000 thoughts flashed through my head. A gateway to the past and future opened at the same time and seemed to merge before my inner eye. “Would you like to play two concerts with us in January 2025?” it read. I immediately said YES inside. Before I could even think about it Nevertheless, my brain first had to think about whether I was able to do it. It had been over 9 years since I had completed my “first life”. In Perugia for an emotional concert on 15.11.2015. A lot had happened in the meantime: 2 children of my own, starting a family, marriage, various jobs that more or less pushed me to my limits, corona pandemic, living in the countryside in my home country, YouTube, electronic music, pedagogy as my main job. Playing LIVE was the exception. Every now and then. A far cry from the 82 concerts in 16 countries in 2015 😶‍🌫️
 I often heard that there are moments when you have to make a decision. 
Now such a moment had come again. Sure, the concerts, the music at the highest level, the travel, the musical opportunities

FREDERIC HOLLAENDER: ILLUSIONS feat. Sarah Maria Sun

We are thrilled to present the first glimpse of our new program, Out of Berlin, Over the Rainbow, featuring the extraordinary soprano Sarah Maria Sun. This program explores the turbulent first half of the 20th century—a time of radical change in society, technology, and politics—through the voices of artists who lived and reflected on those transformative years. Join us on a journey from shadow to light, as we highlight the stories of exiles and wanderers from Europe, Siberia, and Ukraine, who shared their rich cultural heritage while searching for belonging in a fractured world. With music by Hanns Eisler, Igor Stravinsky, Erwin Schulhoff, Aaron Copland, and Kurt Weill, and texts by Bertolt Brecht, Georg Kaiser, John Cage, and Frederick Hollaender, this program creates a vivid tapestry of sound and emotion. Watch our performance of Hollaender’s Illusions and experience the unique fusion of saxophones and the powerful voice of Sarah Maria Sun. Stay tuned for more!  

„OUT OF BERLIN, OVER THE RAINBOW“ EPK feat. Sarah Maria Sun

The first half of the 20th century was a time of radical change—social, technological, and, of course, political. History books tell one version of this era, but what about the voices of the artists, composers, writers, and performers who lived through these turbulent years and reflected them in their art? As we look back on 80 years of musicians from around the world coming together to share their stories, this program takes us on a journey from evocative monochrome to a vivid world of colors and from darkness to radiant hope. Along the way, we meet wanderers and exiles from Europe, Siberia, and Ukraine who shared their rich cultural heritage while seeking belonging in a fractured world. This project features the music of Hanns Eisler, Igor Stravinsky, Erwin Schulhoff, Aaron Copland, and Kurt Weill, interwoven with texts by Bertolt Brecht, Georg Kaiser, John Cage, and Frederick Hollander. We are thrilled to bring to life a unique symbiosis between the voices of four saxophones and the soprano of the extraordinary Sarah Maria Sun. This fusion of sound worlds is powerful, intense, and marked by an emotional depth that truly resonates.

Fondazione La Società dei Concerti

We are honored to make our debut in Milan in January 2025 for Fondazione La Società dei Concerti—where so many legendary musicians have performed. We also brought the saxophone into the season, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Thank you to the wonderful audience—we’ll see you again soon!

New Horizons with Lockbridge Artists Management

As musicians, our greatest joy is sharing our music with as many people as possible. And sometimes, fate plays a role in making that happen. In September 2023, during a visit to Istanbul, we had the incredible luck of meeting two amazing individuals: Duygu and Onur. These two young, passionate, and innovative minds run Lockbridge Artists Management, a dynamic agency dedicated to bringing music to new audiences. Their energy and fresh ideas immediately resonated with us, and we knew this was the start of something special. We are thrilled to be working with them and excited about the opportunities ahead—especially bringing our music more frequently to America and Turkey! Stay tuned for what’s to come—we can’t wait to share this journey with you.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT FESTSPIELE MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN 2024

We are delighted and proud to announce that we have been appointed the new ARTISTS in RESIDENCE at Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2024 (Germany). In 2016, we became part of the Festival Family, and since then, we have played many concerts. But 2024 will be an entirely new and unique experience, resulting in 23 performances! We are very proud to have this recognition and trust from the festival side as the second ensemble in their history (after Quatour Ebene), and we are already looking forward to enjoying the beautiful landscape and musical spirit of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with our friends and many well-known artists. Highlights of the Residency include concerts with Fazil Say, Daniel Hope, Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Liszt Chamber Orchestra, NDR Radio Philharmonic, and many others.

CHAMELEON AT ZDF MOMA CAFE

Our new album Chameleon is a musical journey that spans everything from classic film scores to the raw energy of AC/DC. As a quartet, we love exploring different genres and blending them into our unique sound. One of the highlights is our version of Thunderstruck by AC/DC – a piece that pushes the limits of what a saxophone can do. We had the pleasure of performing it at the moma café, bringing rock energy to an unexpected setting. Stay tuned for more surprises – Chameleon is full of them! LINK

REVIEWS FROM OUR LAST TOUR IN AUSTRALIA IN 2022

Signum sax foursome who love breaking through boundaries Sydney Recital Hall (Daily Telegraph) In its Australian debut, the sax quartet, performs a seamless program of Bach, Weill and Gershwin, showcasing an exemplary sense of balance, clarity and tone. This acclaimed group brought to bear a seemingly endless variety of tonal colour and effects. The sense of balance, clarity and tone was exemplary. Adelaide Town Hall (Limelight ★★★★★) Displaying all the hallmarks of true chamber musicians, these saxophonists brought classy enthusiasm to transcriptions of a diverse repertory. Melbourne Recital Centre (The Age ★★★★½) Silence speaks volumes in sax triumph. … a powerhouse performance that reveals the many colours of the sax to an awestruck audience. Perth Concert Hall (seasaw Art Magazin) Opening with a tasteful interpretation of Bach’s “Italian Concerto”, BWV 971, the musicians of the Signum Quartet kicked the concert off with flare and excitement. Each voice was incredibly well balanced as the four saxophonists engaged in a deep conversation of counterpoint. Their physical moment displayed a sophisticated understanding of the piece and how the different voices interacted with one another. Their sound was well rounded, harmonious and cohesive, gave the impression as if they were operating a single instrument. It was sublime. … the performers were greeted with a rapturous applause and standing ovation. Canberra Llewelyn Hall (CBR City News) “The crowd went wild for this work (Bernstein) as they had for all other familiar music in ingenious arrangement played by the Signum wind geniuses. Their wealth of flexible wind sounds and effective programming are welcome Down Under any day.” Sydney Recital Hall (Arts Guide)

ECHOES ON DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON

We are so excited to share this news with you. It feels like unreal, especially in this unreal times. Imagine, you go to the schoolroom, practising your saxophone like crazy. And there is a wardrobe, full of legendary recordings. The one with Karajan, Bernstein, Kleiber. If you play good in the lesson, you are allowed to borrow one CD from this wardrobe

NEW PROJECT: GOLDBERG NIGHTS

Through the night with SIGNUM & Kai Schumacher SIGNUM saxophone quartet Kai Schumacher, Piano & Prepared Piano   Tranquillity and trance, ecstasy and exhaustion, dream and reality – with this new programme the SIGNUM saxophone quartet embarks upon an odyssey through the realms of possibility and contrast called: The Night. These four multi-award-winning and eclectic artists are among the groundbreakers of the young classical music scene. They virtuosically switch between styles and genres in order to celebrate the night in its most diverse musical facets. For their Goldberg Nights project, they have invited a fifth dream-loving night owl who is also at home in more than one artistic universe: the pianist and composer Kai Schumacher.     The guiding star in the nightly concert heaven is Johann Sebastian Bach, who composed brilliant night music with his Goldberg Variations. They were created for the harpsichordist Johann Gottlieb Goldberg with the intention that these Variations would soothe into sleep his princely employer, the Count von Keyserlingk. SIGNUM and Kai Schumacher combine excerpts from the Goldberg Variations with the works of other night lovers in music history such as Franz Schubert and Frederic Chopin. For the Romantics, the night was the favourite habitat for melancholy, other-worldly soul excursions. By contrast, two American composers illustrate the sounds of the city that never sleeps: Steve Reich makes minimalist dream worlds pulsate in New York Counterpoint, while his compatriot George Gershwin allows his sleepless thoughts to fly over the brightly lit skyline on a rhapsodic night journey. Finally, Kai Schumacher, as a 21st century artist, includes in the mix the ecstasy produced by the sleepless nightclubs, the tireless laboratories of sound (album: “Rausch”).     Driven into this nocturnal panopticon between deepest black and brilliant colours, we meet ourselves, our fears, hopes, passions and abysses. The Night opens for us a space for reflections and fantasies, a space commonly hidden in the daylight. And the Music of Goldberg Nights is the key to unlock it! A concert programme not only for friends of classical music: exciting and calming, cool and ecstatic, dreaming and wide awake – like the night, which is designed not just for sleeping. And Johann Gottlieb Goldberg already knew that.

SAUDADE – OUR JOURNEY TO ANGOLA / MOVIE

The film follows a classical saxophone quartet to Angola, Africa and tries to capture the mysterious and enchanting feeling called Saudade. Members of a classical saxophone quartet travel to Angola, Africa, to carry out a workshop with students of a local music school. Although their mission is to bring their knowledge and experience to others, they end up leaving with important knowledge and experience themselves. The film follows the four musicians and takes the viewer on a meditative and exploring paths through Angola accompanied by classical and contemporary compositions. The title of the film - SAUDADE - is a Portuguese word used to describe a vague and constant desire for something that does not and probably cannot exist, for something other than the present. Last year I had a chance to travel to Angola, Africa with four classical musicians, film their journey and try capturing saudade.   Link

La Folle Journee Nantes – 14 concerts – 14 times Beethoven!

Hello to all! It has been few days since Berlin concert.- nice memories but life goes on and we are back to work. In the past days we were busy, preparing our Beethoven Project. The premiere of it will take place tomorrow on 24th January (20:30) at one of our favorite festivals.- Folle Journee in Nantes/ France. The exact dates and times of the concerts you can see at our Website. - exactly where are you now ;) - at TOUR section.   On the Program: #BeBEETHOVEN HAYDN String quartet opus 33 n°1 Hob.III.37 BEETHOVEN/LEITINGER Sonata quasi una fantasia - Adagio Sostenuto from Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 No. 2* BEETHOVEN Allegro molto, quasi presto from Quartet, op.18 No.2 NAGAO Ewig Beethoven* *world premiere in Nantes   At this point we would like to mention and to thanks two persons! Firstly to Jun Nagao who composed a piece especially for us and which is his very personal and intimate reflection on Beethoven music. Secondly, big thanks and compliment for slovenian jazz man Izidor Leitinger who wrote his very own (jazzy) version of Beethoven's famous Sonata! Basically a composition, not only an arrangement! We are excited about the coming days in  France and looking forward to enjoy and to share the music of Ludwig van Beethoven! Your, SIGNUM boys

Berlin Konzerthaus – Starry Night

Hello from Berlin! Berlin Konzerthaus is a very special concert venue for us, because there we basically played our first "real" concert.- apart from playing at House Concerts, Picknicks and Garten Parties back to that time ;) It was 17.3.2010 and we still remember the big excitment at the hall and of course crazy "Berlin Night" afterwards. In beetwen we were back there for two times but it is still huge honor for us and every time like for the first time. Yesterday was it so far again. On the programme Starry Night with Alexej Gerassimez. We did not feel nostalgic but were just happy to see so many friends at the hall and we were overhelmed with reaction of enthusiastic audience. This night the crazy party didn't follow as we had to take early flights back to Köln. - But anyway.- the time for it will come soon again! :) Your SIGNUM boys

John Psathas: Connectome

Dear friends, happy new year! We hope you had nice time with your families and beloved ones! We are back on track and on 4th January we will premiere the piece of John Psathas  at Festspiele Mecklenburg- Vorpommern with wonderful Alexej Gerassimez. The concert will take place in Ulrichshusen. Few notes from Composer about the piece: The new piece is called CONNECTOME (a connectome (/kəˈnɛktoʊm/) is a comprehensive map of neural connections in the brain, and may be thought of as its "wiring diagram". More broadly, a connectome would include the mapping of all neural connections within an organism's nervous system. The piece is in three parts. Each part has its own title and concept, and each part represents a different idea of the kind of future we might have as a species. Part 1 Pashupatastra (From the Mahabharata)… he asked for the sacred and deadly weapon Pashupatastra so that neither man or god could prevail over him.  Yet Shiva warns him of Pashupatastra’s powers: Arjuna will not be able to dispose of the weapon or give it back, nor recall the horrible weapon once he wields it.  It has the power to destroy the world. Part 2 Farewell to the Flesh This part is a response to the increasing likelihood that we will one day make scans of the neural connections in our brains and nervous systems that are so accurate and complete, we will exist after death as immortal digital consciousness. I thought about this a lot (and have read books about it) and had so many questions; • When I am code will I still feel emotion? If my emotions are mostly chemical reactions, with no chemicals in software, how will I ever make a choice? • Will I still be able to laugh, or cry? • Will I feel fear, empathy, lust, anticipation, disappointment? • Will I believe I am experiencing touch, taste, smell, hearing? • Will someone be able to edit me? • What will life be like if I am no longer flesh and blood? Will it be life? • Will I be I or will I be AI? I believe we will all profoundly miss being physical, sensual, beings, and we will be changed into something unrecognizable by that transition. So Part Two is an elegy, a farewell to the flesh. Part 3 Rom in Space When we imagine space travel it’s common to think of astronauts and scientists, white space suits, and a lot of shining technology. But I started thinking much further ahead, when all of us get into space. I imagined gypsies (Rom) with the freedom to roam anywhere, and the kind of energy they (and all the rest of us) will bring to the stars. (nb - at one point in Part 3 our Rom space-traveller drops out of hyperspace for a brief romantic liaison….) We feel truly honored and excited about premiering the piece and giving birth to a new baby! We thanks John Psathas and Festspiele Mecklenburg- Vorpommern for their kind help at commisioning the piece. Your SIGNUM boys

STARRY NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME

Hello friends, on Thursday we are traveling to south of Gernany in order to rehearse for our new Program Starry Night with percussionist Alexej Gerassimez. The three day rehearsal phase will end with the first concert of the project later on Saturday. On the program : Alexej Gerassimez : Rebirth Gustav Holst : Planets Steve Martland : Starry night Date : 21.12.2019 Venue : Schloss Elmau We are thrilled and very excited (not always good ;) to start a musical journey called "Starry night" with the concert in stunning atmosphere of Schloss Elmau. Many concerts of "Starry Night" are coming up later in the season. For exact dates please see the "Tour" section at our website! Greetings, yours SiGNUM

ZAUBERTRÄUME

Dear Friends, we are happy to share with you, that we will perform the Siegfried Matthus's "Phantastische Zauberträume" for the first time in SIGNUM history. Composer himself wrote an undertitle to the piece: "ein saxophonisches Märchen für Saxophonquartett und Orchester" To be translated : "saxophonic fairy tale for saxophone quartet and Orchestra" The movements of the piece are: I Die tapferen Zauberer 1. Zauberspruch II Sentimentales Ständchen für eine zauberhafte Schöne III Notwendige Abrechnung mit ein paar bekannten Raufbolden IV Reise in das Land Phantásien 2. Zauberspruch V Mitternächtliches Rendezvou mit lieblichen Spukgestalten in einem alten Schloss VI Schlaf- und Träumliedchen für den kleinen Frank, die kleine Elsa, den kleinen Tom und andere Kinder 3. Zauberspruch VII Wilder Besenritt gegen die geistreichen Trottel, die arroganten Schönredner und die gefährlichen Dummköpfe. We are looking forward very much as the piece is very originally orchestrated and is like a travel through many different fairy tales; consisting of many beautiful melodies but also musically "schocking moments" but above everything - one big magical soundscape. We will be joined by Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Modestas Pitrenas. The dates : 12.12.2019 - Klaipeda / Lithuania 14.12.2019 - Vilnius / Lithuania Greetings from Vilnius, Yours SIGNUM

SCHNYDER´S NEW CONCERTO FOR SAXOPHONE QUARTET AND ORCHESTRA EPK

It is one of the most interesting experiences when performing a new work, which was written specially for you. We are very proud to present a new piece to the world! Concerto for saxophone quartet and orchestra by Daniel Schnyder We would like to thank Tiroler Festspiele Erl for making this all possible. Hope you will enjoy!

THANK YOU FESTSPIELE MECKLENBURG VORPOMMERN

It was and it is so amazing to be part of this FAMILY! Thanks to Artist in Residence Harriet Krijgh for invitation and to all inspiring musicians: Matthias Schorn - clarinet, Emmanuel Tjeknavorian - violin, Magda Amara - piano and Martynas Levickis - accordion, with whom we shared the stage. We feel honored to be part of this family! Thank you. #wearefamily

NEW CONCERTO FOR SAXOPHONE QUARTET AND ORCHESTRA BY DANIEL SCHNYDER 2019

Dear friends,   we can't wait to perform new concerto for saxophone quartet and orchestra by Daniel Schnyder on July 4th 2019 in Festspielhaus Erl. More informations about the concert HERE   Daniel Schnyder wrote about the new concerto:   My Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra is divided into three movements which are connected by free cadenzas. The first movement is rather pastoral in nature and reflects the origin of the saxophone in French music. In his famous "Bolero" and "Pictures at an Exhibition", Ravel brought the saxophone to the ears of the concert audience, listening to the lyrical, romantic and at the same time Dionysian side of the instrument. As we all know, at the same time as Ravel was writing his music, the saxophone became the main instrument of jazz, the new music of that time on the other side of the Atlantic. Without a saxophone, without John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Lester Young, a jazz story is unthinkable. In the music of Gershwin and Ravel these worlds, Europe and America, have met and complemented each other. This transatlantic connection has conquered the instrument a place in the concert hall. Of course, the repertoire is still very young and small compared to violin and piano, and in some cases not properly composed for the instrument. Therefore it was a great chance and a favourite project for me to compose this concerto. I am a saxophonist myself, and both jazz and classical music are in my heart, I am equally at home in both worlds. So in the first movement you hear how these sounds, like the meeting of Ravel and Gershwin in Paris, inspire each other. This, in turn, is in perfect harmony with the "Concerto for Orchestra", which Bartók wrote in America under the influence of all the new "sounds" and which, like his sixth string quartet, clearly contains elements influenced by jazz. So for me this is a dream program: it reflects the holistic sound of the 20th century, where music is uncompromisingly at the centre and the exclusions that have poisoned our music world play no role. The second movement consequently plays around the jazz ballad, the American songbook, and uses the extended ramified harmonics, which were taken over from the late romantic period into jazz. The saxophone is probably the woodwind instrument that comes closest to the human voice. This is why the saxophone became the ballad instrument in jazz, at least since Coleman Hawkin's famous "Body and Soul" solo, which shook the musical world, the world of "savants". The last movement is a kind of oxymoron, a musical utopia! On one side is R&B music, the music of the 70s and 80s, funk music, on the other the traditional Europe, fugue and counterpoint. These are two worlds that don't really "belong" together. But this idea came to me in my sleep how I could connect the world of Bruckner or rather Buxtehude, the music of repetition fugues, reversals, enlargements, reflections and splits with the funk music of a James Brown. The result is a highly explosive mixture of accumulated musical energy. The baritone saxophone rattles here in a way that no traditional orchestral instrument can do, and the presence and sound dynamic of the saxophone quartet shows all its unique quality in the combination of the elements mentioned above and in its inherent power to assert itself against a large orchestra. I hope that you, dear audience, enjoy this work and that I can surprise you again and again, and that you fall in love with the saxophone, this young instrument.   More about Schnyder´s new composition HERE

SIGNUM AT LA FOLLE JOURNEE NANTES 2019 / VIDEO

At the end of January and at the beginning of February we have been privileged to attend the amazing festival La Folle Journee in Nantes! It has been our comeback to the festival after the edition in 2015. As the theme of the festival this year was "Voyages" we deciced to present versatile program of works from J.S.Bach, A. Ginastera, L. Bernstein, C. Corea. First we have played two concerts in La Folle Journee en Region(Savenay, La Lude) and after 4 concerts in Nantes! They were many remarkable moments in a week there, but to name two, it would be big opening of the festival on 28th(we played Ginastera and Corea) and two visits at hospitals where we have given charity concerts. On many many years La Folle Journee!

WHAT KIND OF WORLD WILL STAY AFTER US!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week we have been invited to play a concert at Rostropovich festival in Baku/ Azeirbaijan. Absolutely a dream invitation for me, as he is my hero and ispiration since I can remember. Happiness! Only one day later we've got a message from presenter (great one!!) and our office that we are not allowed to enter the land of Azeirbaijan since someone of us is from Armenia and has armenian passport. Not only this.- in case of trying to enter the land to play the concert, he has to go directly to the police.- in worst case to prison. I know political problem beetwen countries which is 100 years old but what a shame.- 21st century. So we had to cancel the concert. And it is not about the concert

SPECIAL CONCERT: “RHAPSODY IN CONCERT” @ALTE OPER FRANKFURT

Februar 14, 2019 - 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm SPARK, DIE KLASSISCHE BAND SIGNUM SAXOPHONE QUARTET MILJENKO TURK Bariton FELIX KLIESER Horn ANNIKA TREUTLER Klavier SCHÜLERINNEN UND SCHÜLER FRANKFURTER SCHULEN Moderation MORE ABOUT RHAPSODY IN SCHOOL TICKETS AND MORE

KRITIK DRESDNER MUSIKFESTPIELE: Wenn wenig Holz viel Holz ersetzt

Ist in der Instrumentalmusik von einem Quartett die Rede, so geht es fast immer um Streicher. Aber da gibt es noch mehr, wie ein Konzert der Dresdner Musifestspiele zeigte. Von Torsten Kohlschein erschienen am 29.05.2018 in "FREIE PRESSE" Dresden. Warum gilt das Saxofon eigentlich als Holzblasinstrument? Sieht doch jeder, dass das Ding aus Blech ist! - So berechtigt die Frage, so einfach die Antwort. Es geht in diesem Fall nicht darum, woraus das Instrument ist, sondern was den Ton erzeugt. Und das ist beim Saxofon ein ins Mundstück gespanntes angeschliffenes Blatt aus Schilfrohr, für dessen beim Anblasen entstehende Schwingungen die "Blechkanne" nur den Resonanzkörper bildet. Dass indes ein solches Instrument gleich vierfach auf dem Podium erscheint, ist in Deutschland, noch dazu in der Klassik, selten. Anders als im Geburtsland Frankreich, ist das Saxofon hierzulande in diesem Genre eher ein geduldeter Exot. Wieso eigentlich? Das fragt man sich um so mehr nach dem Konzert des Signum Saxophone Quartet am Sonntagabend zu den Dresdner Musikfestspielen im ausverkauften Atrium der Sparkassen- Versicherung Sachsen im Stadtteil Mickten. Zumal ein Haydn- Streichquartett das Programm eröffnete, das für Sopran- (Blaž Kemperle), Alt- (HayrapetArakelyan), Tenor- (Alan Luzar) und Baritonsaxofon (Guerino Bellarosa) arrangiert war. Wenig Holz statt viel Holz also, das dieser vor Entstehung ihrer Instrumente gesetzten Musik neue Aspekte entlockte. Mehr Kontraste von Laut und Leise etwa. Andere Klangfarben sowieso. Aber das war bei Weitem nicht alles an diesem Abend. Bei einem Arrangement von Modest Mussorgskis Klavierwerk "Bilder einer Ausstellung" zeigten die vier jungen Männer in Schwarz, welcher Farbreichtum in ihren Instrumenten steckt. Das klingt mal nach Flöte, mal nach Horn, ja, mit spezieller Anblastechnik entlockte Guerino Bellarosa seinem Bariton, dem unterschätztesten Mitglied der Familie Sax, gar Töne, die wie tiefe Pizzicati klangen. Perfekt aufeinander eingespielt und die vielen heiklen Passagen des Stücks scheinbar mühelos meisternd, erweckte das Quartett den Eindruck, als seien die "Bilder" extra für diese Besetzung geschrieben worden. Das Publikum war aus dem Häuschen - und konnte gleich draußen bleiben, als die Vier nach der Pause eine Suite aus Leonard Bernsteins "West Side Story" spielten, die in Sachen Rhythmik, Effektreichtum, perkussiver Klänge etcetera noch eine Schippe draufpackte. Der zwei kurzen, hochvirtuosen Stücke "Four For Tango" von Astor Piazzolla und "Spain", einer "Aranjuez"-Variation nach Joaquín Rodrigo von Chick Corea, hätte es fast nicht mehr bedurft. Denn beweisen mussten die Musiker da schon längst nichts mehr.

BACHianas Tour 2018 with Alberto Casadei, cello

Dear friends! We are very excited to announce BACHianas Tour 2018 with our dear Alberto Casadei​ - cello. 15th February Schloss Elmau​ DE 18th February Salone Estense Varese IT 20th February Kaiser Friedrich Halle Mönchengladbach DE 21st February TivoliVredenburg​ Utrecht NL 22nd February Teatro Ponchielli di Cremona​ IT 25th February Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie Haarlem​ NL Can´t wait to see you there. More on signum-saxophone.com #albertocasadei #signumsaxophonequartet #BACHianas #schlosselmau #saloneestense #varese #kaiserfriedrichhalle #moenchengladbach #tivolivredenburg #utrecht #teatrpponcielli #cremona #philharmonie #haarlem #springtour #cello #saxophonequartet #chambermusic #bach #piazzolla #fröst #villalobos

Saxophon-Quartett verzaubert Zeughaus / KRITIK

Neuss. Gemeinsam mit Pianist Michail Lifits gab das "Signum Saxophone Quartet" in Neuss ein Gastspiel. Von Heide Oehmen Während seiner ausgedehnten Europa-Tournee, die unter anderem nach Haarlem, Utrecht, Cremona und Varese führt, machte das "EchoKlassik"- prämierte "Signum Saxophone Quartet" auch im Neusser Zeughaus Station. Die Saxophonisten (Blaz Kemperle, Sopran -Saxophon; Erik Nestler, Alt -Saxophon; Alan Luzar, Tenor -Saxophon und Guerino Bellarosa, Bariton -Saxophon) kennen sich seit ihrem Studium beim Saxophon-Papst Daniel Gauthier an der Musikhochschule Köln. Im Jahre 2006 gründeten sie ihr "Signum Quartet", ein Entschluss, den sie vermutlich nicht bereut haben. Sie sind sie inzwischen weltweit in ersten Konzertsälen gerngesehene Gäste - als Quartett, gemeinsam mit Orchestern oder mit ausgewählten Kammermusikpartnern. Im Zeughaus war es der 1982 in Usbekistan geborene Pianist Michail Lifits. "Ohne Selbstvertrauen kann man nicht auf der Bühne stehen, aber man muss auch Vertrauen in die Partner haben", beschreibt Alan Luzar, was auch die Zuhörer spüren. Diese vier Musiker, denen spieltechnische Probleme fremd zu sein scheinen und die mit jeder Faser ihres Wesens in und mit der Musik leben, die sie vermitteln, achten sorgsam und ohne jede Eitelkeit aufeinander. So gelingen ihre nicht selten hoch virtuosen Vorträge bis in die kleinsten Floskeln ausgearbeitet und in vollendeter Stimmigkeit. Der für seine stilsicheren Arrangements mehrfach ausgezeichnete Oboist und Komponist Andreas Nicolai Tarkmann hat den "Signums" die "Bilder einer Ausstellung" so recht in ihre Instrumente geschrieben. Die Farben und Ausdrucksformen der Bilder seines Freundes Viktor Hartmann, die Modest Mussorgski so treffend zu schildern wusste, sind auch in dieser gelungenen Bearbeitung zu finden. Hier überzeugte vor allem - neben stupender Technik - das unerschöpflich erscheinende Lautstärkespektrum des Quartetts. Zurückgenommen, mit staunenswerter Pianokultur und faszinierendem Einfühlungsvermögen, fesselte Samuel Barbers berühmtes "Adagio", bei dem wohl niemand im ausverkauften Saal die originale Streicherbesetzung vermisste. Der Holländer Wijnand van Klaveren hat Nikolai Rimski-Korsakows beliebte "Scheherazade" für Saxophonquartett und Klavier bearbeitet - hier verband sich das lockere, anschmiegsame Quartettspiel nahtlos mit dem federnd leicht anmutenden Klavierspiel des Michail Lifits. Dieser konnte seine spieltechnische und interpretatorische Kunst in der abschließenden, vom Quartett selbst verfassten Bearbeitung der "Rhapsody in Blue" von George Gershwin noch ausgiebiger beweisen. Die fünf nun mehr und mehr aus sich herausgehenden Musiker wussten mit mühsam gebremstem Temperament den Saal zum Swingen zu bringen und wurden mit Jubel überschüttet. Quelle: NGZ ONLINE KRITIK

FERNE GELIEBTE – BEETHOVENFEST BONN VIDEO

Eine superschöne Begegnung! Ein großes Dankeschön an die Schüler von Anno Gymnasium Siegburg (Martin Halbfsa, Julia Koziarowski, Nadine Prahl, Giulia Bornée, Paula Kellermann, Luzie Kohrs, Hannah Wagner, Catrin Müller, Ciara Borgards, David Ehrhardt, Tanja Dünnwald, Kaila Borgards, Severin Baltes), Marion Dietrich (Beethovenfest Bonn) und David Lužar! auf #ewiguns

“Ensemble Preis 2016” Festspiele Mecklenburg Vorpommern

  Part of the Family. We are very happy the be awarded with "Ensemble Preis 2016" by Nordmetall Stiftung. It means a lot to us, not only because we are the first saxophone quartet to receive it but also we feel honored to be in a row with exceptional artists who have won it in the past already and whom we admire a lot. Thank you for the trust in our group and our music and Marcus Fein for the touching Laudations. Part of the prize is also to be a member of the big Festspiele Mecklenburg Vorpommern Family and to realize interesting projects in the future what we are looking forward to the most. Let's have a great time together!

SIGNUM in Angola 2017

Wir sind sehr froh und dankbar, dass uns das Goethe Institut wieder eingeladen hat. Diesmal geht nach Angola. Im Jahr 2013 waren wir schon in Pakistan - und die Erfahrung werden wir einfach nie vergessen. Es ist doch was ganz anderes, in solchen Länder die Konzerte zu spielen, zulassen, dass sich die zwei unterschiedliche Kulturen tatsächlich begegnen! Pakistan 2013 war für uns echt eine einmalige Erfahrung und deswegen können wir kaum erwarten, dass wir bald nach Angola reisen. Wir werden in Angola ehrenamtlich mit den Kindern arbeiten und drei Konzerte spielen. 20MAY2017 BENGUELA ANGOLA 22MAY-23MAY2017 OBRA BELA MUSIC SCHOOL LUANDA, ANGOLA 24MAY2017 FORTALEZA LUANDA, ANGOLA 25MAY2017 FABRICA DE SABAO CAZENGA/LUANDA, ANGOLA Mehr Informationen finden sie here.

PRESS: “Applause for the bright energy of SIGNUM and Martynas Levickis ”

“[…] Loud exaltation following the first piece on stage by SIGNUM saxophone quartet during their concert on Thursday night. The Big Hall of the Theatre was full with different audiences, which – lost in their admiration for Bach’s Italian concert – decided to ignore the established rule not to clap after each piece and loudly applauded the musicians during the whole concert […] The saxophone quartet and the magic of the accordionist presented to the audience a true miracle. Vivaldi’s “For Seasons” and Piazzolla’ s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” sounded like a faithful curtsy to the authors, combined with a delicate and artistic banter in the interpretation….”

SIGNUM WITH PHILIP GLASS

Privileged to meet maestro Philip Glass in person #glassplaysglass #piano #solo #music #composer #legend #minimalmusic #happysaturday #americanmusic

SHADOW DANCES – MARTYNAS & SIGNUM SAXOPHONE QUARTET

02JUL2017 BAD KISSINGEN, GERMANY Kissinger Sommer 07JUL2017 KLOSTER MAULBRONN, GERMANY Klosterkonzerte Maulbronn 14JUL2017 FESTSPIELE MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN, GERMANY 15JUL2017 MEININGEN, GERMAN MDR Musiksommer 16JUL2017 KLOSTER CHORIN, BARNIM, GERMANY Choriner Musiksommer 18JUL2017 WESSELBUREN, DITCHMARSCHEN, GERMANY Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival 19JUL2017 SCHENEFELD, GERMANY Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival PROGRAM Martynas Levickis, accordion SIGNUM saxophone quartet M. Ravel (1875-1937): Le Tombeau de Couperin G. Hermosa (1976): Fragilissimo‬ M. Ravel (1875-1937): Rapsodie espagnole A. Piazzolla (1921-1992): Four, for Tango R. Galliano (1950): Tango pour Claude A. Piazzolla (1921-1992): The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires A. Piazzolla (1921-1992): Michelangelo ´70

ENSEMBLE AWARD WINNER 2016 – FESTSPIELE MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN

Liebe Freunde, wir sind sehr berührt und möchten gerne eine tolle Neuigkeit mit euch teilen: ab heute steht fest, dass wir bei den Festspielen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mit dem Nordmetall-Ensemble-Preis 2016 ausgezeichnet sind! Wir empfinden wir tiefe Dankbarkeit und blicken in die Vergangenheit: angefangen mit dem ersten Konzert für 2 Leute (hat gerade so für ein Big Mac-Menü gereicht), aus Wien nach Köln über Nacht mit zwei Taschen umgezogen, Teller im Restaurant gespült und noch viel Monat am Ende des Geldes! Aber es fiel uns all das nicht schwer, weil wir immer an die Magie der Musik und unsere Freundschaft geglaubt haben. Wir möchten uns bei allen bedenken, die an uns geglaubt haben und diesen Traum mit uns leben. Speziellen Dank an das Team der Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern für das Vertrauen in uns, an Alex und Franco für die tägliche Unterstützung und an unsere Freunde und Familien. Wir freuen uns sehr über die Auszeichnung und auf viele spannende Projekte mit den Festspielen Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Zukunft. Das beehrt uns noch mehr, weil zu den früheren Preisträgern unter anderem das Quatuor Ébène, das Belcea Quartet und das Fauré Quartett gehören. WIR FÜHLEN UNS GEEHRT UND SIND VOLL TIEFER DANKBARKEIT. Dear friends, we are deeply touched and would like to share some great news with you: we were awarded with the Nordmetall-Ensemble-Preis 2016 from Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany. We are delighted and thankfully look back into our past: first concert for just 2 people (which was actually just enough for a Big Mac menu), moving from Vienna to Cologne overnight with just 2 bags, cleaning dishes in a restaurant and to much month left at the end of our money! But all that was never tough because we always believed in the magic of music and our friendship. We would like to thank everybody who believed in us as well and living this dream with us. Special thanks to the team of Gespiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Alex and Franco for their daily support and to our friends and families. We are happy about this award and are looking forward to exciting projects with Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the future. It is an honor becoming a part of the family with earlier laureates as Quatour Ébène, Belcea Quartet and Fauré Quartet. WE FEEL HONORED AND THANKFUL.

STAND BY ME IN KÖLNER PHILHARMONIE

ZU DER VERANSTALTUNG SIGNUM saxophone quartet Blaž Kemperle Sopransaxophon Erik Nestler Altsaxophon Alan Lužar Tenorsaxophon Guerino Bellarosa Baritonsaxophon Letizia Renzini Konzept, Kreation, Regie Visuals Alex Kirsch Konzept, Co-Kreation, Projektleitung Mario Monopoli Schauspielcoach, Regie Bühne Didier Brun Lichtdesign Simon Busch Soundtechnik, Arrangements "Stand by me" - the SIGNUM sound experience Visuelles Konzert für Kinder ab 6 Mit jugendlicher Energie und ausgefallenen Ideen sorgt das SIGNUM saxophone quartet seit vielen Jahren für frischen Wind in den europäischen Konzertsälen und auf Festivals. Aber auch ihre Projekte für Kinder nehmen bei den vier Musikern einen wichtigen Platz im Kalender ein. Jetzt stellen sie ein neues Musiktheaterstück vor. Es heißt „Stand by me – the SIGNUM sound experience“ und ist ein visuelles Konzert über Klang, Phantasie und Freundschaft. Eine Produktion von KölnMusik, Philharmonie Luxembourg und dem SIGNUM saxophone quartet keine Pause | Ende gegen 12:00 Gefördert durch das Kuratorium KölnMusik e.V.

SAISON 2016/17: SHADOW DANCES

We are really happy, to play some concerts with extraordinary MARTYNAS LEVICKIS next year. Stay tuned for more. SHADOW DANCES Ravel, Hermosa, Piazzolla

SIGNUM & Alpesh Chauhan in Cagliari / Recensione concerto

Cari amici italiani, ecco qui la critica del concerto di Cagliari dove abbiamo eseguito per la prima volta il concerto di P. Glass. È stata una esperienza molto emozionante per noi e questo grazie al direttore d'orchestra Alpesch Chauhan, l'orchestra del teatro lirico e al caloroso pubblico.

SIGNUM BEI “SHAKESPEARE GOES VARIETE” / WDR3

Im Jahr 2016, zum 400. Todestag William Shakespeares, feiert die Welt ihren bedeutendsten Dramatiker. Das Shakespeare-Festival Neuss feiert mit und lädt zum Auftakt ins Globe Varieté, das mit viel Humor, Magie, Poesie und Musik Shakespeare einmal anders präsentiert. Der künstlerische Leiter Daniel Finkernagel und der Regisseur Karl-Heinz Helmschrot haben Künstler für diese Idee begeistern können, die zu den Ersten ihres Faches gehören: die Schauspielerin Corinna Kirchhoff, den Illusionisten Sascha Simon, das Asasello Quartett, das Signum Saxophone Quartet sowie den Komponisten Peter Wesenauer. Nach dem Motto „varietas delectat“ wird das Globe Varieté Stilelemente von der Soap bis zum Poetry Slam mit tanzender Kammermusik, schwebender Geige und der singenden Säge zusammenbinden zu einem abwechslungsreichen Abend mit vielen Überraschungen. So lassen wir Shakespeare in seinem Jubiläumsjahr zum Auftakt des Festivals hochleben. Künstlerische Leitung und Idee: Daniel Finkernagel Regie: Karl-Heinz Helmschrot Mit: Corinna Kirchhoff, Asasello Quartett, Daniel Finkernagel, Karl-Heinz Helmschrot, Signum Saxophone Quartet, Peter Wesenauer, Sascha Simon

GUERINO BELLAROSA IS OUR NEW BARITONE PLAYER IN SIGNUM SAXOPHONE QUARTET

We are very happy we’ve found a new member after a long search. With Guerino we have found a emotional puzzle piece and we are very glad to go new paths with him! Guerino Bellarosa (1984), born in Avellino near Naples, lives in Düsseldorf and has studied with Federico Mondelci in Pesaro(Italy) and Jean-Michel Goury in Paris. He currently does his Master’s in Contemporary Music at the Folkwang University of Arts in Essen. He brings the sun of south Italy, mediterranean passion and a big heart to our quartet. Benvenuto Guerino! Yours SIGNUM

AFTER ALMOST 10 YEARS DAVID BRAND LEAVES SIGNUM

David was part of the group from the beginning on and lived that dream with us. He dreamed, dedicated his whole life to this, travelled thousands of kilometers with us and opened his soul more than 500 times on stage. But at this point our paths seperate from each other. David decided to go on his own way. We thank you for your (sometimes unconventional) ideas, your vigor and your spirit and dreams. You made SIGNUM to what it is nowadays! We wish you all the best for your future. Alan, Erik & Blaz   David Brand RÜCKBLICK Sich kennenlernen. Das erste mal sehen, riechen, hören. Irgendwie komisch und schon verdammt lange her. Kennenlernen. Wir haben sehr viel zusammen gelernt. Wir kennen uns schon unser ganzes halbes Leben. Der Tag beginnt früh – wir kennen einander nur flüchtig. Blicke und Gedanken. Bald Träume und Wünsche. Immer getragen von Hoffnung. Uns liegt die Welt zu Füßen. Wir nehmen immer gerne von ihr. Doch mehr noch geben wir. Mit vereinten Kräften. Zusammen. Am späten Vormittag dann der erste Schock. Weit weg von zuhause. Zusammen und alleine wissen wir: Es geht immer weiter. Wie? Zusammen und vereint. Jeder gibt alles. Auf seine einzigartige Weise. Zwischen Liebe und Hass wandeln wir. Ein schmaler, vierspuriger Pfad. Ungleichmäßig und immer enger wird er mit der Zeit. Manches, Einiges, Alles lassen Manche, Einige, Alle hinter sich. Für das, was vor uns liegt. Umso heller das Licht der Scheinwerfer am Horizont erstrahlt, umso dunkler wird auch der Schatten, den es hinter und um uns abwirft. Ein Schatten, der beinahe bedrohlich wirken kann. Die Sonne über Euch hat ihren Zenit noch lange nicht erreicht. Die Sonne über mir ist in dieser Illusion am Horizont schon beinahe verglimmt. Tagtäglich entstehen neue Sonnen. Träume Wünsche Ziele nicht zuletzt die Realität, die wir uns selbst erschaffen. Unsere Welt verändert sich. Das Leben verändert sich und auch uns. In jeder Sekunde unseres Lebens, kann es wieder soweit sein … Manchen macht es Angst. Manchen gibt es ein Gefühl von Hoffnung. Bei den meisten wird es wohl eine Mischung aus Beidem sein. Letztendlich hält es uns jedoch am Leben, denn: Leben bedeutet Veränderung. Ich bin froh und sehr dankbar, in den letzten zehn Jahren einem zukünftigen Mythos ganz nah gewesen zu sein. I belive in you and I support you because You made me what I am Good and Bad and full of humanity. Pablo Picasso: „I wanted to become an artist – and I became a human beeing.“ Leipzig im Februar 2016

MOTIVATOR

One day before the concert in Ljubljana, we had the possibility to get to know young saxophonists from Conservatory and University in Ljubljana. If I am getting precise, 2 beautiful quartets and soloists! Let us say even better, amazing People!!! you will not believe it, but they play for us.- It was great! So much energy and joy making music together and let us be honest – so good in shape that I thought, that they will play until after tomorrow. But,… I have to say something. I do not like the word teacher. I do not like it at all. It is way to conservative, although maybe there are some philosophers out there, who are going to say, that the first philosophers were teachers already. Coach sounds better. But still… Someone is going to say, that it is only in football to be a Coach, to get coached. So I suggest- If you like the word Coach or not – decide it alone! It reminds me on Motivator. But as the word say, the Motivator should motivate. So I do not like it anymore. Why? Because it is not honest. In my opinion Motivator should sometimes also demotivate in order to motivate. And you see. I do not like this word as well. So guys, should we give up and say to him Motivator? No, never give up. Let us say to him – a Chance. Chance and possibility(the word is way to long!!!) The Chance to give some small Inspiration, some pepper and salt,some chilly, some good or bad Sound- an idea. To create atmosphere what was before and what will happen after it. To believe. And on the other had the possibility(not to Long anymore!) to be enlarged, to be taken, to could not believe what for beautiful sounds they play together. It was this feeling in Ljubljana one day before the concert! Honestly I got pretty nervous before this concert, beacuse it is my home town in the most beautiful country in the world. But after hearing this amazing musicians one day before, I knew it. I will not screw it up! They gave so much power and Inspiration. That is why I want to say thanks to beautiful talents in Ljubljana. Hope to hear you all soon (thanks for recordings) and to meet up for a coffee again. yours, alan

NILS FRAHM

A collabaroation is always different – hard enough to keep our four opinions together… but sometimes you meet artists and you know recently you want – you have! – to work together. That’s what happened in the case of our collaboration with composer, sounddesigner and pianist Nils Frahm. I met him at one of his Gigs in Michelberger Hotel Berlin a few month ago and by the way: this place was so fantastic! He presented a new Piano open-air to the audience. When he started to play and his music was melting with the surrounding nature sounds – created mainly by the wind and the birds – it was an absolutely unique and mindblowing atmosphere in the air. Silence got a new meaning for me on that evening… After the concert we talked a lot about music and life. He is really fanatic about sound and its possibilities… I showed him some of our recodings and we made plans for a little jam on the next day, where we developed the idea to collaborate in the Cologne Philharmonic Hall on his track “hammers”. We arranged it together and he gave us a lot of space for individual things and improvisation-stuff. When I arrived in the Phil yesterday, I could hardly remeber where I am. He builded up an xtraodinary black setting – even with perfect lights surrounding us. After we played some bars together…it just happened and developed on it’s own way. Big Thank you to Nils and of course his fantastic audience. I am sure it was not the last concert together! Music, Peace and Love to all of you and hopefully we see again soon! David Brand