The three chamber works on New Thread Quartet‘s Saxifraga speak vociferously on behalf of the saxophone ensemble’s commitment to new music. Favouring texture and atmosphere over melody and traditional compositional forms, the group’s second New Focus release utilizes multiphonics, alternate tunings, non-pitched sounds, and other techniques to navigate unconventional sonic territories. Such explorations are consistent with the quartet’s avowed mission to present daring new music for the saxophone and to use its high-level playing in the service of living composers.
The NYC-based saxophone quartet comprises Geoffrey Landman (soprano), Kristen McKeon (alto), Erin Rogers (tenor) and Zach Herchen (baritone), though Jonathan Hulting-Cohen is…