A Tribute to Adolphe Sax

At Aliud Records, we’re thrilled to present our latest double album release, a tribute to the enduring legacy of Adolphe Sax and his most famous invention, the saxophone. This project was born in the wake of the 2014 International Adolphe Sax Competition, held in Dinant, Belgium, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Sax’s birth.

As we delved into the rich history of this remarkable instrument, we were struck by the tumultuous life of its inventor. Adolphe Sax, born in Dinant in 1814, led a life marked by both incredible achievements and significant setbacks. His journey from a small Belgian town to the musical circles of Paris is a testament to his innovative spirit and perseverance.

In curating this album, we sought to showcase the saxophone’s versatility and its integration into various musical genres. We’ve focused primarily on the soprano and alto saxophones, with the tenor saxophone also making notable appearances. While Sax’s other inventions, such as the saxhorn family, are acknowledged, we’ve chosen to center this collection on the instrument that bears his name.

We’re proud to feature performances by an impressive roster of artists, including Rob Horsting, Ronald Moelker, The Circling Saxes, Simon Diriq, Peter Pieters, Niels Bijl, and Nikita Zimin. The album also includes compositions by renowned composers Alain Crepin and Jan van der Roost, who have created works that beautifully exploit the saxophone’s unique tonal qualities.

To demonstrate the saxophone’s adaptability, we’ve included performances by diverse ensembles such as the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Saxophone Orchestra, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, and the Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Air Force. These varied groupings illustrate how the saxophone has found its place in classical, jazz, and military band settings.

As we listen to these recordings, we’re reminded of the saxophone’s journey from its invention in 1846 to its current status as a cornerstone of multiple musical genres. Despite initial challenges in gaining acceptance within classical circles, the saxophone has become an integral part of the international music scene.

We’ve made this double album available in various high-resolution formats, including DSD and PCM, to ensure that listeners can experience the full tonal range and nuance of these saxophone performances in the highest audio quality possible.

Through this release, we at Aliud Records hope to pay homage to Adolphe Sax’s innovative spirit and celebrate the enduring impact of his most famous creation. We invite you to join us in exploring the rich, varied world of the saxophone through this carefully curated collection of performances.