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Australia's foremost
saxophone quartet, Continuum Sax, explores the frontier of
saxophone sound and technique. They have performed at the
2008 Restrung Festival, the 2005 Melbourne International
Festival of Single Reeds, 2002 Australian Clarinet and
Saxophone Conference and broadcast regularly on ABC Classic
FM.
Continuum Sax commissions and inspires works from
Australia's leading composers. Stuart Greenbaum, Paul
Stanhope, Damien Ricketson, Barry Cockcroft, Matthew
Hindson, amongst others, have contributed to their unique
repertoire.
As exponents of modern saxophone music they have presented
Australian premieres of works by Elena Firsova, Franco
Donatoni, Salvatore Sciarrino, Gavin Bryars, Perry
Goldstein, Rolf Gehlhaar and Jacob TV.
Collaborations provoke unexpected and interesting
directions. Continuum Sax has nurtured a substantial
repertoire of composed and improvised works. Collaborators
include the Belgian experimental electric-violinist Cécile
Broché; Match Percussion; sound sculptor Gail Priest;
didgeridoo player Mick Davison; and jazz experimentalists
the Freedivers. In the 2008 Restrung Festival at the
Brisbane Powerhouse Continuum Sax formed part of the Six
Pack Symphony, a modular orchestra with the Brodsky
Quartet, Topology, Wood, David Chesworth Ensemble and
Clocked Out.
In 2009 Continuum Sax commissioned new works from Rosalind
Page, Damien Ricketson and Robert Davidson, with assistance
from the Australia Council. Other projects include the
performance of a new multi-media work with video-artist
Rachael Brown, and a program of works by Australian jazz
composers, inspired by the work of the Original Otto
Orchestra.
Continuum Sax have given composition and performance
masterclasses at Newcastle University and performed at the
MLC School's Australian Music Days. In 2008 Continuum Sax
recorded a large number of educational works for
reedmusic.com.
Continuum Sax has released two CDs, CONTINUUM (2001) and
ICON (2005).
Continuum Sax is a member of the New Music Network.
‘This is a group that plays as
one—a really beautiful, integrated
sonority…’ From Review of Continuum CD,
24 Hours Magazine (Oct. 2002).
'Deft at melding sounds, with a score or without
...'Continuum Sax do improvisation very well ... the
ensemble is equally impressive when playing scored works
... making Perry Goldstein's Motherless Child Variations,
with its telling references to Gershwin's Porgy and Bess,
so memorable.' - 'Sydney Morning Herald, 24 October
2006.
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