Something old something new : the development of the saxophone quartet and interpreting Alexander Glazunov's Quartet fur saxophones op. 109

The origins of the saxophone quartet can be traced to the inception of the instrument. The development of the classical saxophone quartet and the continually growing body of repertoire was aided by Alexander Glazunov's pivotal work Quartett fer Saxophones Op.109 (1932). This work allowed composers to see the saxophone in a new light whereby it indicated its potential as a serious instrument. Glazunov's contribution to the literature for classical saxophone can be seen as important as indicated by the composers and works that followed shortly after, expanding its repertoire throughout the early twentieth century in solo, orchestral and chamber music. Despite never reaching the inventor, Adolphe Sax's hope for the instrument to be treated as a serious full time addition to the orchestra, the saxophone nevertheless now enjoys opportunities for performance in a variety settings and a growing body of repertoire. The first part of this paper will outline the development of the early saxophone quartet and the contribution of Marcel Mule and Alexander Glazunov to the classical saxophone. The second half will focus on the scope for interpretation of Op. 109 and relate contrasting examples of interpretive decisions by four of the most accomplished and influential current saxophone quartets. This section will also discuss the challenges faced by the author's saxophone quartet, 22SQ in their performance preparation of this work.