Conducteur et parties
Saxophone Quartet (SATB)
The Three Songs (Trois Chansons) dating from 1914/15 were arranged for four a cappella voices by Ravel immediately after he had written the music of these pieces. The lyrics were penned by the composer himself. The songs represent Ravel's sole contribution to choral literature.
The first song consists of three sections and tells the story of Nicolette, who sets out to pick flowers in the fields. Just like Little Red Ridinghood, she meets a wolf who asks her if she is on her way to her grandmother's house (M.1-13). Fleeing from him, she meets a page who wonderswhether she would like to have him as her 'lover true'. She dismisses his proposition though she finds it hard to do so (M. 14-39). In the third section, she encounters a plump, unhandsome man (lento!). He speaks to her:'Stay, stay, my Nicolette, all this gold I give to thee', and - 'VIVO' - Nicolette takes refuge in his arms. (M.40 to end).
The Three Lovely Birds from Paradise are sky-blue, white as fallen snow and bright red - just like the colors of the Tricolore, the national flag of France - which has been interpreted in many reviews as a sign of an increasingly nationalistic attitude becoming apparent in the war year of 1914. This song mourns the loss of the beloved one who went to war.
The Ronde is also made up of three sections. The old women are the first to sing (M.1-28). They warn the young maidens against entering the forest since it is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous (male) beasts. Then (M. 29 ' 56) the old men warn the young lads against going into the woods because of the numerous (female) demons living there. The irony of the story is to be found in the final answer of the young people (as of M. 57), who conclude: 'We will not go into the woods since the old folks have frightened off all the beasts, anyway.'

Arrangement: Naulais Jérôme. Par NAULAIS JEROME. / Niveau : Difficile / Répertoire / 4 Saxophones (Soprano, Alto, Ténor, Baryton)

Folksongs from the Hebrides. Par REINSHAGEN FRANK. Langue: English(US)/Deutsch/Français/Nederlands/ Répertoire / 4 Saxophones AATBar

The Pavane for a Dead Princess is considered to be one of Ravel's most popular works. The solemn and stately court dance strutting along in an even pulse turns into a melancholic, yet not sombre dirge.This Pavane is dedicated to the Princess of Polignac. Trying to put a stop to rampant poetic interpretations of the composition's title, Ravel made a point of stating that ?When I phrased the title, I was merely interested in having the fun of creating a pun. Pavane pour une Infante Défunte - the alliterations can hardly be ignored.' The arrangement on hand is in line with the orchestral version written by Ravel himself in 1910 and constitutes part of the series Ravel for Saxophone Quartet including publications of, among others, Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose), Trois Chansons (Three Songs) and Le Tombeau de Couperin. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

as performed by Stevie Wonder. Par WONDER STEVIE / VAN HAAGEN BERT (ARR.). 'Isn't She Lovely ' est une chanson de Stevie Wonder tirée d'un album sorti en 1976, Songs in the Key of Life. Les paroles célèbrent la naissance de sa fille, Aisha Morris. Bert van Haagen a élaboré un arrangement facile pour quatuor de saxophones de cette très belle chanson. / Niveau : Elémentaire à Moyen / Date parution : 2019-11-14/ Recueil / 4 Saxophones

Watermelon Sugar. Watermelon Sugar was the summer hit of the year 2020. It is a song by the British singer-songwriter Harry Styles, who felt inspired by the title of the American novel In Watermelon Sugar (1968) by Richard Brautigan. The melody of the chorus had already taken form during 'Live on Tour', the debut tour that Styles embarked on in September 2017, finishing in July the following year. On a free day, Harry and his band went to The Cave Studio in Nashville, where they created the chorus melody. It is said that the song is about Styles' ex-girlfriend Camille Rowe. Seb Skelly arranged this catchy tune for saxophone quartet as a lasting memory of the extraordinary year 2020.

Love is All Around is a song that was recorded in 1967 by the English band The Troggs. In 1994 it was covered by the Scottish band Wet Wet Wet as part of the soundtrack to the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. This catchy version was an enormous hit which is still played a lot on the radio today. Arranger Seb Skelly too felt inspired and stirred by this romantic song, resulting in this brilliant arrangement for saxophone quartet that will appeal to players as well as listeners. A very suitable piece for all occasions that have to do with love!