Saxophone Quartet Melisma

The Melisma Saxophone Quartet is one of the most ambitious and promising chamber music formations of its generation. The quartet’s international synergy of four different nationalities has allowed the group to develop a unique musical language whilst consistently dazzling audiences with their refreshing brand of musical interpretation.

Since the quartet’s genesis in 2009 in Amsterdam, the quartet has performed in numerous concert series and been invited to a host of festivals all over Europe. This remarkable list includes the 1st Bach Festival Dordrecht (The Netherlands), Davos Festival (Switzerland) and the Grieg in Bergen Festival (Norway). The quartet’s performances have been recorded and broadcast by the Swiss radio SRF2, the Dutch Radio4 and Mexican radio IMER, often direct from concert halls such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Schouwburg Rotterdam and the Tivoli Vredenburg in Utrecht.

The Melisma Saxophone Quartet also maintains a presence beyond the European continent. In Summer 2016 they toured Mexico working with the Mexican composer Enrique Mendoza. In April 2015 the quartet performed its Chinese debut playing to capacity audiences at the NCPA National Center of Performing Arts in Beijing, the Shenzhen Concert Hall and the Guangzhou Opera House, among others. A comprehensive concert tour throughout China was repeated in summer 2018.

In May 2011, the four musicians were invited to the 7th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan, the first ever Dutch ensemble to compete in this, one of the most important competitions for chamber music worldwide. The internationally renowned jury awarded the quartet four “Honourable Mentions” in the final round of the competition.

“The outstanding Melisma Quartet offers musical interpretations that are fresh, dynamic and profound. The success of this winning ensemble is the logical result of excellent soloists who afford the fine amalgamation of musical intensity over a long period of time.” - Professor Reinhold Friedrich, Member of the Jury and renowned trumpeter.

Melisma’s debut album was released on Gateway Music (Denmark) in 2015 with music by J. S. Bach, E. Grieg, G. Ligeti and the Dutch composer Guillermo Lago.

With Marijke Schröer (alto saxophone) - David Cristobal Litago (soprano saxophone) - Jonas Tschanz (baritone saxophone) - Henriette Jensen (tenor saxophone)