Saxophon Quartett Arcis

The Arcis Saxophone Quartett, 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 contents.

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 Quartett, music is an endless playground, and they are as diverse as no other group. Only one thing remains always constant: their distinctive sound.

Claus Hierluksch, Serie III soprano saxophone - Ricarda Fuss, Supreme alto saxophone - Anna-Marie Schäfer, Supreme tenor saxophone - Jure Knez, Super Action 80 Serie II baritone saxophone.

Photo credits: Harald Hoffmann - Jure Knez