Since it was formed in 1989, the five-piece Quatour Ossia Saxophones has not only been at the forefront of saxophone education, but has also amazed many by the versatility and unconventionality with which it employs the wind instrument, invented by Adolphe Sax in the late 1880s.
All graduates of the prestigious Paris Conservatoire, the ensemble's members, Jean-Michel Pirollet, Jean-Paul Bouvatier, Jean-Luc Miteau, Patrice Foudon and Didier Vadrot cook up a smorgasbord of sounds whenever they hit stage.
The group's own original compositions, nursery rhyme tunes, jazz, pop, blues and even classical, the Quatour Ossia Saxophone has tackled them all over the years.
Although it has dabbled in musical areas never previously explored by the saxophone and is constantly on the lookout for new avenues to explore, the ensemble's members all adhere to the principal of keeping as close to the meaning of the original composition as possible.
While creating a unique outlook, the crux of the ensemble's work remains firmly tied to tradition. According to the group, its creativity attaches particular importance to transcriptions, which allows the performers to use the saxophone to represent any kind of string instrument.
As always, the Quatour Ossia Saxophone will be presenting an interesting and diverse program during its mini-tour of Taiwan -- a program that includes both well-known saxophone numbers and more than a few surprises.
The program looks set to include a mixed bag of tunes including the China-inspired, Nanking Road, the South Asian-infused Alap, the Duke Ellington jazz classic, Caravan, as well as some local tunes, such as the sultry original composition, Night Raining in Kaohsiung Harbor.
The nationwide tour kicks off at
7:30pm tonight at the Miaoli County Cultural Performance Hall. On Sunday the ensemble brings its sound to the National Concert Hall Taipei (台北國家音樂廳) before touring venues in Chiayi, Taichung, Kaoshiung, Chungli and finally Ilan.
Tickets for the show cost between NT$300 and NT$1,000 and are available from ERA ticketing or direct from the venues.
For further information and a full performance schedule visit the the event organizer's Web site at www.kham.com.tw.
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