JOHN CAGE : The Works For Saxophone 1

'Between 1983 and 1991 John cage wrote three pieces specifically for saxophones, Four5, Five4 and Hymnkus, which are combined here for the first time on CD. In addition, Cage authorized Ulrich Krieger’s arrangement for saxophone of Ryoanji. Krieger also made a saxophone arrangement of Five, one of the few compositions from this period performable on any instruments.
This unique disc concentrates on Cage’s late works for saxophone. A CAGE OF SAXOPHONES VOL.2 (mode 160), features a combination of Cage works containing saxophone from various periods. Krieger is joined here by a top group of German new music performers, including noted pianist Mario Bertoncini.
Acclaimed German saxophonist Ulrich Krieger studied classical / contemporary saxophone, composition, and electronic music at the Hochschule der Künste (Berlin) and the Manhattan School of Music (New York). Since 1990 he works freelance as interpreter, improviser, composer, and rock musician. He worked with leading artists such as LaMonte Young, Phill Niblock, David First, Lee Ranaldo, Elliott Sharp, Mario Bertoncini, Hans-Joachim Hespos, Merzbow, and many others. He has made numerous concerts, radio and television broadcasts as performer, soloist, with his own ensembles, various chamber music groups and orchestras (including the Ensemble Modern and the Berlin Philharmonic) in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Australia.'



Tracklist
A Cage of Saxophones, Vol. I
1 Five 5:07
Accordion – Gerhard Scherer
Piano – Mario Bertoncini, Reinhold Friedl
Soprano Saxophone – Ulrich Krieger
Tenor Saxophone – Kathrin Wagner
2 Ryoanji 21:26
Percussion – Friedemann Werzlau
Sopranino Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Ulrich Krieger
3 Four⁵ 12:02
Alto Saxophone – Kathrin Wagner
Baritone Saxophone – Reimar Volker
Soprano Saxophone – Ulrich Krieger
Tenor Saxophone – Tobias Rüger
4 Five⁴ 5:01
Alto Saxophone – Reimar Volker
Percussion – Andreas Peters, Friedemann Werzlau, Raymond Kaczynski
Soprano Saxophone – Ulrich Krieger
5 Hymnkus 30:04
Accordion – Gerhard Scherer
Alto Saxophone – Ulrich Krieger
Percussion – Friedemann Werzlau, Raymond Kaczynski
Piano – Mario Bertoncini, Reinhold Friedl
Tenor Saxophone – Tobias Rüger

Credits
Art Direction – Brian Brandt
Concept By, Directed By [Artistic Direction], Liner Notes [Program Notes] – Ulrich Krieger
Engineer – Ekkehard Stoffregen
Executive-producer – Brian Brandt
Liner Notes [English Translation] – Sabine Feißt
Liner Notes [French Translation] – Martine Jore
Mastered By – Steve Puntolillo
Photography By – Imke Lass
Producer – Dr. Wilhelm Schlemm

Notes
Five (1988) version for 2 saxophones, accordion & 2 pianos
Ryoanji (1988) for saxophone, 3 prerecorded saxophones & percussion
Four⁵ (1991) for saxophone quartet
Five⁴ (1991) for 2 saxophones & 3 percussions
Hymnkus (1986) for 2 saxophones, accordion, 2 pianos & percussions
Recorded at the studios of the SFB in Berlin, Germany, November 1-3, 1999
24-bit Digital Mastering: Sonicraft
Published by: Henmar Press, C.F. Peters Corp.
Jewel case packaging with 12-page booklet