Living History! World Premiere of a lost Saxophone Quartet written for Marcel Mule

The Ares saxophone quartet, comprised of my Rutgers students Yvette Sakow – Soprano, Daniel Roush – Alto, Isabelle Mailman – Tenor and Benjamin Almazan - Baritone, played a wonderfully diverse program at the Navy Saxophone Symposium in January. A highlight was the world premiere of an unknown work written for Marcel Mule and his saxophone quartet. It is a work that was never performed.

This unknown quartet, “Rondo du Quatuor” was written in the late 1930s/40s by Marguerite Roesgen-Champion. Many of you will recognize her as the composer of the "Concerto #2" for alto sax, bassoon and harpsichord/piano that I recorded on my CD, "Heard Again for the First Time"

The “Rondo” reflects the post-Ravelian Impressionism that was a significant part of the French musical landscape of the mid-20th century. Nicolas Prost found the manuscript score in the Mule quartet library (that had been given to Defayet) and sent it to me for perusal.

I had the score computer-set, parts realized, and in conjunction with Yvette Sakow, corrections and reconciliations made while the Ares Quartet was rehearsing for its first performance. Yvette is preparing a critical restored edition for an exciting historical addition to the saxophone repertoire.

The Navy performance was not recorded, but one week later Ares recorded this performance, so now all can hear it for the first time.

The music is available. Contact me for more information.
It is exciting to be a part of living history as performers and listeners!
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