In this release from the Berlin Saxophone Quartet we encounter Johann Sebastian Bach's The Art of Fugue, the 'summit of abstract, architectonic compositional artistry' (Edwin Fischer), in an unusual and unexpectedly fascinating form. The listener has the opportunity to judge for themselves just how suitable the saxophone or the members of the large saxophone family (the soprano, tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones) are for the presentation of Bach's visionary music. However, the reviews of the CD version of this release indicate that this interpretation is very much a success. For example, on 15 April 1993 the Rheinische Post wrote, 'Those who have had the chance to hear the marvellous Berlin Saxophone Quartet perform Bach's Art of Fugue immediately dismissed any reservations they may have had about this curious instrumentation. The ensemble performs with such agile skill and tonal beauty that our impression is that old master Bach has granted his consent from Elysium.' Fanfare wrote: 'Excellent, sensitive musicians. A marvellously recorded performance with transparency and delight in detail'.
