BIOGRAPHY

"A performance full of energizing sound and a harmoniously developed musicality, effortlessly captivating the audience."

The Arcis Saxophone Quartet, named after Munich's iconic Arcis Street, has emerged as one of the most vibrant and active classical ensembles globally. Whether on the highest pass in Ecuador, in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert, on the cliffs in the American Atlantic, or in the sold-out Philharmonie in Munich and Berlin... the four saxophonists feel at home everywhere with their music. Embodying a spirit of experimentation, artistry, and boundless curiosity, the quartet fearlessly explores new musical territories. 

Whether they are traveling and performing on a trailer-turned-stage through Bavarian villages, pedaling through the city on a Conference-Bike, or innovatively combining chamber music with contemporary dance in a joint performative act through their arcis_collective, their creativity knows no bounds. An elaborate dramaturgy, sound, and light design, as well as captivating introductions, are as much a part of the concert experience for the four multi-talented musicians as their energetic interpretations, finely balanced arrangements, and commissioned compositions from all over the world, tailored to their style.

To stay true to themselves, their artistic vision flows into all aspects of their work: After their two debut CDs, "Arcis Saxophon Quartett spielt Enjott Schneider" (2013) on Ambiente Audio and "Rasch" (2017) on Genuin, the four musicians founded their own record label, arcis records, and established arcis visuals, a production company in-house, taking care of their visual and media content.

They acquired their chamber music skills from the best of the best, studying with the Artemis Quartet at the UdK in Berlin and in the forge of the European Chamber Music Academy (with mentors like Hatto Beyerle, Alban Berg Quartet; Prof. Johannes Meissl, among others), as well as at the HMT Munich with Prof. Koryun Asatryan and Prof. Friedemann Berger.

International success quickly followed. The press cheered, "A world-class quartet," and the competition successes and awards poured in. They won first prizes at the Music Competition of the Kulturkreis Gasteig e.V. (Munich; additional audience prize), at the International Music Competition Concorso Argento (Italy), and at the First Classical Music International Internet Festival "Chance Music" (Russia). They received a third prize at the 13th International Chieri Music Competition (Italy). In 2014, they were awarded the second prize at the Chamber Music Competition of the Alice-Samter-Stiftung (Berlin), and in 2015, they won the first prize at the 4th International Contest – Festival of Chamber Ensemble Performance named after T.A. Gaidamovich in Magnitogorsk (Russia). In 2016, they received the first prize at the 1st Rising Stars Grand Prix 2016 – International Music Competition Berlin.

Recognized for their outstanding contributions to the world of classical music, the quartet was honored with the Bavarian Art Promotion Prize and received scholarships from the Theodor-Rogler Foundation, a music scholarship from the city of Munich, as well as scholarships from the Erika and Georg Dietrich Foundation, the German Orchestra Foundation, the Musikfonds e.V., and the German Music Council.

In order to inspire the young generation, musicians, and audiences of tomorrow, the quartet passionately engages in educational endeavors: through ensemble workshops, masterclasses, and dozens of school visits each year, they directly engage and skillfully inspire children and teenagers with music and the joy of making music.

For the Arcis Saxophone Quartet, music is an endless playground, and they are as diverse as no other group. Only one thing remains constant: their distinctive sound.

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PROGRAMS

Quirky Nightclub Chronicles

Zappa G-Spot Tornado

Marc Mellits Tapas

Emma O’HalloranNight Music

 – Intermission –

Schulhoff5 Pieces for String Quartet 

Shuteen Erdenbaatar Echoes of Life

PiazzollaMoments with Piazzolla

Get dressed up and head to the nightlife! Quirky Nightclub Chronicles brings the vibe of the most popular nightclubs into the concert hall - hot rhythms, fresh sounds and captivating stories that stay in your memory. As always with the unique Arcis twist: creative arrangements, powerful interpretations and a touch of eccentricity that not only allows you to hear classical music, but also to feel it throughout your entire body.

JSB:48

Bach & contemporary composers – Selection of newly composed preludes to fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier 

Kapustin – 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op.82, No.15 & No.17

 – Intermission –

Shostakovich – Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87, No.1 & No.5

Chopin / Radiohead / Brad Mehldau – Exit Music

Leonhard KuhnFugue & Loops

"The fugue is a play of light and shadow in which each voice has its own color and texture, but together a harmonious picture is created." - Pierre Boulez

The Arcis Saxophone Quartet presents a sounding kaleidoscope of preludes and fugues in their program JSB:48. Immerse yourself in a world full of timbres, lines and rhythms, where the timeless mastery of Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier meets the creative innovation of musicians and composers from all centuries and styles - until today. You will hear works by Bach, Shostakovich, Kapustin and Brad Mehldau, among others, sometimes sensual, sometimes stirring, sometimes captivating, sometimes surprising. And always with the Arcis twist.

 

CONCERTI

Arcis Saxophone Quartet Is Pleased To Offer The Following Concerti:

Arcis with Orchestra

Philip GlassConcerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra

Luke Bedford Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra

Bob MintzerRhythm of Americas

Arcis is constantly pushing the traditional boundaries and concepts of the saxophone as a classical music instrument. They commissioned British composer Luke Bedford to write a concerto for saxophone quartet and orchestra which received its premiere in 2017 by the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin at the Philharmonie Berlin. The Philip Glass Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra has become a staple of saxophone quartets, and each of the four movements showcases the different timbres and tones of each saxophone. With Rhythm of Americas by the famous saxophonist Bob Mintzer the Arcis Saxophone Quartet brings out the jazzy component of the saxophones which characterizes Mintzer’s style, finding the perfect balance between two music genres which find the perfect synthesis in their instrument: classical music and jazz.

 

Arcis with Choir

Erkki-Sven Tüür Meditatio for saxophone quartet and choir
Gija KantscheliAmao Omi Meditatio for saxophone quartet and choir
Eric Whitacre Five Hebrew Love Songs for saxophone quartet and choir 
Orlando di Lasso Missa “Bell’ Amfitrit’ altera”
J.S. BachSinget dem Herrn BWV 225
J.S. Bach Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226

Arcis Saxophone Quartet pairs with choirs to perform music from the 1500s to today, showcasing the unique timbres of four saxophones and voice. Meditations, a mass, motets, and love songs round out this thoughtful and insightful program.

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ENGAGEMENT

Educational Performance (K-12)

Discover the Magic of Music
The children will be introduced to our music, exploring the sounds of the saxophone in a way that sparks their curiosity.

Meet Adolphe Sax
We share the fascinating (and fun!) story of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, and how his creativity shaped the world of music.

Hands-On Saxophone Experience
In this interactive segment, the children get a chance to see how the saxophone works—and even try playing a few notes themselves!

Make Music Together
The grand finale is all about participation! The children join us in making music, whether by conducting or with some body percussion, creating an experience they’ll never forget.
 

Arcis tailors the content on the spot, adjusting to the age group, space, and energy of the kids. This program is possible for children aged 6 to even up to 16-18, with a sweet spot for those between 10 and 14. 60 min session is optimal. 

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