At the time of Maurice Ravel's birth, the saxophone, invented over 30 years prior, was still struggling to find its place in the orchestra.
Interpretation
The Ellipsos Quartet created a unique arrangement of Ravel's Bolero, adapting 36 orchestral parts for just four saxophones to recreate the sound of a full symphony orchestra.
Performer Biography
The Ellipsos Quartet was the first saxophone quartet to be accepted into the Pro-Quartet vocational training center and the chamber music class of the Conservatoire de Paris.
Performer Biography
The Ellipsos Quartet performs with diverse groups, including string quartets, Javanese gamelan, and jazz musicians, and has even incorporated singing into their 'Sax & Gospel' project.
Historical Context
Despite Adolphe Sax (the inventor of the saxophone) teaching saxophone classes at the Paris Conservatory from 1857-1870, the instrument made only brief orchestral appearances.
Performer Biography
The Ellipsos Quartet, founded in Nantes in 2004, is considered one of the most promising chamber music ensembles of its generation.
Cultural Impact
The revival of the saxophone in France from the 1920s onwards is largely attributed to Marcel Mule (1901-2001), whose virtuosity attracted classical composers to an instrument previously associated with military music and jazz.
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