FAUST for saxophone quartet takes inspiration from both Goethe’s epic work and the many 19th century musical settings, some of which are quoted in the devil’s movement.  The quartet has three movements that represent the three main characters in Goethe’s Faust: “Persona 1: Yearning” presents Dr. Faust and his dissatisfaction with his lot in the world; “Persona 2: Virtue and Anguish” presents Margaret; “Persona 3: Devil’s Play” offers Mephisto and all of his trickery.

FAUST exists in three versions:  a 3-movement saxophone quartet, a 5-movement concerto for alto saxophone and string orchestra, and a 2-movement piece for alto saxophone and 3 celli (or cello orchestra).  The piece was written for saxophonists John Sampen, Luc Schollaert, and Paul Wehage, with support from the McKnight Foundation Fellowship Program administered by the Minnesota Composers Forum.  The sax quartet is recorded on “NEW” by 4UATRE, Dapheneo 9703, and on “Ange & demon” by Quatuor Marquis de Saxe, Artlab 01988.  The concerto is recorded on “Jean-Pierre Baraglioli” by Jean-Pierre Baraglioli, alto soloist, and the Orchestre Philharmonique De Chambre De Lettonie, conducted by Valery Avramenko, Dapheneo 9709.