About

The Barega Saxophone Quartet was formed in 2007 and is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier single reed ensembles, performing across the country and internationally. The group enjoys a versatile and wide-ranging programme of music from French and classical repertoire to minimalism and contemporary works, in addition to specializing in compositions of a crossover classical/jazz nature. A primary goal of the BSQ is to perform and promote original repertoire and Australian works; they have premiered new music composed by Michael Bakrnčev, Louise Denson, Thomas Green, Catherine Likhuta, Andrew Garton, Nathan Lam, Andrew Kennedy, and Andrew Ball, at events including ‘SaxOpen’ in Strasbourg, France, 2015; the Australasian Saxophone and Clarinet Conference, Sydney, 2013; XVI World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews, Scotland, 2012; the Crossbows Festival, Brisbane, 2012.

Website:  baregasax.com

Featured Works

Three Serpents (New Australian music for saxophone quartet: Volume 1), album release.

Barega’s debut album Three Serpents is the first in a series of recordings capturing their proud tradition of championing new music by Australian composers. The classically-trained quartet bring together an eclectic variety of musical influences, while stamping the music with their own unique sound. The album features a rich variety of works from the Macedonian influence of Michael Bakrnčev, to the energetic rhythms of Thomas Green and Andrew Ball, to the contemporary jazz background of Louise Denson and Andrew Garton.

Featured in Playlist 9: Marketplace Waves (30/09/2015)