Percy Grainger called the saxophone “the world’s finest wind-tone tool, the most voice-like”, and wrote for it a series of fascinating but hitherto little-explored works.

These arrangements are special in that, unusually, Grainger largely abandoned his idea of ‘elastic scoring’ and noted specific instrumental configurations. The selections include the music of J S Bach, British and Norwegian folksongs, old polyphonic instrumental and vocal music, as well as two original compositions, each indelibly stamped with Grainger’s experiences as pianist, folk-song collector, and proponent of early music.

Artists

J. Michael Holmes (soprano saxophone), Phil Pierick (alto saxophone), Adrianne Honnold (alto saxophone), Adam Hawthorne (alto saxophone), Joyce Griggs (tenor saxophone), Drew Whiting (tenor saxophone), Jesse Dochnahl (baritone saxophone), Ben Kenis (bass saxophone), Casey Gene Dierlam (piano), Phil Pierick (baritone saxophone), J. Michael Holmes (alto saxophone), Joyce Griggs (alto saxophone), Jesse Dochnahl (soprano saxophone), Adam Hawthorne (baritone saxophone)