SMSO brings together Beethoven, space exploration & a World Premiere Oct. 26

Quatuor Ellipsos

 Formed in 2004 in Nantes, France, the Ellipsos Quartet is recognized as one of the most prestigious saxophone quartets in the world. Ellipsos has performed more than 1,000 concerts on the most prestigious French stages and internationally in more than fifteen countries. Renowned for their versatility, the quartet turns both to the classical repertoire as well as the music of our time. To date, the ensemble has recorded seven award-winning albums, the latest of which is “Fusion”, released in 2023 by NoMadMusic.

Tfhe Orchestra and the Quartet will perform the world premiere of “A Dream for Artemis,” by French composer Fabien Waksman.

Specially written for guest artists Quatuor Ellipsos, A Dream for Artemis is a concerto for saxophone written as a tribute to the conquest of space from 1957 to the present day.   SMSO tells us it’s an exciting backdrop for some incredible music:

Experience the cosmos as we weave the iconic Fifth Symphony by Beethoven, launched into space by NASA, with the celestial inspiration of Williams‘ Serenade to Music. These two timeless works harmonize with a world premiere performance of A Dream of Artemis, composed by Fabien Waksman. Inspired by NASA’s Artemis initiative, the next frontier in space exploration, the piece was specially written for our guest artists, the French saxophone quartet Quatuor Ellipsos. Let these extraordinary compositions elevate your senses in a performance that bridges the wonders of the universe with the innovative artistry of today!

As NASA prepares a new human exploration of the Moon, almost half a century after Neil Armstrong’s first step, our eyes will once again follow the adventures and streaks of light from the Artemis mission, little sister and heir to the legendary Apollo program.

 

The Artemis mission will have four astronauts on board, artistically represented by the four saxophonists exploring a universe of sound, their four metal instruments representing a rocket and a common dream.

 

The work begins in an atmosphere of great excitement. We are at Cape Canaveral, just before the launch of Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969: “Before the Moon Rush”. Thousands of people from all cultures and backgrounds are gathered to witness this event that will mark history, the first step of a human out of his earthly cradle.

The performance on October 26 begins at 7:30 pm on the Mainstage in the Jenkins Theatre at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center.

Tickets and more information at www.smso.org