Commission to Oliver Schneller

As part of the 10th edition of the Quasar Saxophone Quartet’s Electro Series, Oliver Schneller has been commissioned to compose a new work for saxophone and electronics.

The Electro Series, held biennially by Quasar, showcases new ideas and compositions in the field of mixed music, combining live instruments with electronics. This concert is co-presented by Quasar and Le Vivier, in collaboration with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Media, Music, and Technology (CIRMMT), which provides the resources and acoustics for research and performance, helping to reach a broad audience.

Schneller’s new piece is part of a larger body of work he began in 2023, which incorporates voices of critically endangered or nearly extinct animals, many of which he recorded himself. The new composition will use sounds recorded from hydrophones placed along the coasts of Holland, Belgium, and the English Channel.

The saxophone, with its incredible range—from airy sounds to complex multiphonics—is well-suited for blending with the natural sounds featured in the piece. The performance will also involve live electronics and a spatial sound setup with 4-6 loudspeakers to create a dynamic sonic environment.

To commission to Oliver Schneller is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further Information:
quasar4.com

Dates

May 15, 2026
Music Mulimedia Room, Montréal