Rascher Saxophone Quartet in Seoul
By Bae Keun-min
Staff Reporter
The Rascher Saxophone Quartet, ``the uncrowned kings of the saxophone,'' will hold their first concert in Korea at Seoul Arts Center on June 12.
The quartet was founded in the United States in 1969 by famed classical saxophonist Sigurd Rascher and his daughter, Karina. Years later, the ensemble found a new home in Germany.
After a few changes in members, tenor sax Bruce Weinberger, soprano sax Christine Rall, baritone sax Kenneth Coon and alto sax Elliot Riley have developed a special musical chemistry.
The group has been praised by audiences and critics. Even some 290 composers including Luciano Berio, Erik Bergman, Philip Glass, Sofia Gubaidulina and Per Norgard, were so impressed with the group's musicality to have offered songs dedicated to the quartet.
The ensemble has released 17 albums so far, and their recordings have been acknowldged by such awards as France's Diapason Award.
The concert will feature Bach's ``The Art of the Fugue'' (BWV 1080), Barbara Tompson's ``From Darkness into Light,'' Henry Purcell's ``Fantasia'' and Philip Glass' Concerto for Saxophone Quartet, along with some Korean traditional folk songs.
Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2068-8000 or 1544-1555.