Their repertoire is vast in range, including chamber music, improvisation, musical theatre, and most particularly over the past fifteen years mixed music featuring live electronics, an area in which they are now recognized as leaders. Nine-time winners of the Québec Music Council’s distinguished OPUS awards, Quasar presents an annual concert series in Montréal while performing extensively across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.
The quartet reserves pride of place for a group of esteemed Canadian and International composers with whom it has formed lasting partnerships. It aims to contribute to the enrichment of our musical heritage and to provide a platform for new music experimentation, exploration and production. Quasar has proudly commissioned over 200 works over the course of its twenty years of activity. During that time, it has performed as a solo group with, among others, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Hangzhou Philharmonic.
From Nov. 14- 16, 2022 the Quasar Saxophone Quartet will be in residence at the Grieg Academy as part of the Sounding Philosophy Project. Their visit is in preparation for a concert in March 2023 at the MNM Festival in Montréal, which will be in conjunction with the Grieg Academy.
Programme for Consert
Gordon Williamson
Breathing Room (2019)
For saxophone quartet
Commissioned by Quasar with the help of the Quasar Creation Fund.
Émilie Girard-Charest
Bestiaire (2018)
For saxophone quartet, 10’30’’
Commission by Quasar with support of the New Chapter program from the Canada Arts Council.
Juan Vassallo
I’m a strange loop (2022)
For saxophone quartet, circa 8’
Örjan Sandred
Engrammes (2020)
Pour quatuor de saxophones et électronique
Commissionned by Quasar with the financial support of the Quasar Creative Fund.
Dániel Péter Biró
Udvarim Achadim (2008-9, 2011, 2013, 2019-22)
For saxophone quartet and electronics
Commissioned by the Quasar saxophone quartet with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.