The Big Loud Thing – Steve Reich

This three-concert mini-series provides a deep dive into the instrument’s multi-faceted talents, taking in groundbreaking saxophone repertoire from some of the most iconic composers of our time, from Louis Andriessen to Philip Glass and Steve Reich. 

We kick-off with Steve Reich’s iconic work New York Counterpoint – originally written for an ensemble of clarinets, and here played in a special version for eleven saxophones. Two brand new works from students of the composition department complete the programme

The second concert in the series presents Philip Glass’s early minimalist classic Music in Similar Motion, in a large ensemble version with members of Ensemble Klang joined by the Ensemble Academie of the Koninklijk Conservatorium. The work presents ever-expanding and contracting cells, always played in similar motion, that creates a trance-like repetitive structure.

Closing out the series, Ensemble Klang celebrate the launch of a new album of works by Maarten Altena with the world premiere live performance of his work Flashback. Bebop-like saxophone lines flash through the work’s short duration. Energy-laden saxophone duos and trios by Mellits and Andriessen combine avant-garde minimalism with pulse-driven grooves. And closing out the festive edition Ensemble Klang perform Erik Satie’s circus-parade ballet work Parade.