Equinox Saxophone Ensemble

Alistair Parnell	Sopranino, Soprano Saxophone and EWI
Nicola Pennill	Soprano and Alto Saxophone
Sarah Markham	Alto and Soprano Saxophone
Keri Degg	Alto and Soprano Saxophone
Chris Jolly	Tenor Saxophone
Lindsey Smith	Tenor and Alto Saxophone
Michelle Phillips	Baritone Saxophone
Deb Hutt	Baritone Saxophone
Claire Tomsett	Bass

from England

Versatile and original, the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble is a group of like-minded, accomplished saxophonists with a passion for exploring the possibilities the saxophone can offer. From early music, through classical transcriptions, original and contemporary works, folk and jazz, Equinox presents the saxophone as a chameleon-like instrument capable of taking on many personalities. The group's unique and compelling sound comes from the combination of instruments and the occasional use of electronics, keyboards and percussion, which provide variety and flexibility in the programming. Director Alistair Parnell is a leading proponent of electronic wind instruments, which are often featured in the Equinox line-up. Alistair is directing the special interest strand in electronic and electroacoustic music at the Congress. Great emphasis is placed on presentation and making programmes accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience. Performances appeal to young and old, the regular concert-goer and casual listener alike.

Equinox's first album, Partial Eclipse, has recently been reissued, and the group is currently working on a new recording.

Libertango - Astor Piazzolla arr. Lindsey Smith

Piazzolla is famous for blending the tango with classical and jazz styles to create a new genre - nuevo tango. He met with great resistance from fellow Argentinians who believed that, in a country where everything else was changing, the tango should be a constant. 'Libertango' was his 'song to liberty'.

Lincolnshire Posy - Percy Grainger arr. A Parnell

i. Lisbon

ii. The Brisk Young Sailor *iii Horkstow Grange (The Miser and his Man: a Local Tragedy)

iv. The Lost Lady Found (Dance Song)

Grainger wrote his Lincolnshire Posy for wind band in 1936, based on folk songs he'd collected some years before, and dedicated it to 'the old folksingers, who sang so sweetly to me'. Grainger himself arranged parts of the suite for saxophones - he professed a great admiration for the instrument's sound.

Babadağ - Alistair Parnell

Inspired by a family holiday, Babadağ is named after a mountain in south-west Turkey and features Alistair Parnell on EWI. Each player 'spells out' the name of the mountain in a motif that runs through the piece, interwoven with a haunting call to prayer.

Mrs Malcolm, Her Reel (Funky Freuchie) - Richard Ingham

The St Andrews Suite for jazz orchestra received its first performance in April 2004. Since then, the central movement, Mrs Malcolm, has received many performances throughout the UK in various chamber ensemble arrangements. The eponymous Mrs Malcolm is a colleague of the composer at the University here in St Andrews.