Home for Saxophone Quartet

I. Vivace
II. Andantino
III. Moderato

Played by Amstel Quartet
Composed by Malek Jandali

Home is where Jandali’s music starts. His Saxophone Quartet composed in New York City during the winter of 2018 titled Home is based on several forgotten themes from his homeland Syria, that were skillfully integrated into the Western classical form of the quartet. The final result is an unique harmony and a dialogue for unity and humanity, in attempt to preserve the beauty of the rich culture of Syria.

As a musician with a mission, Jandali feels the duty to preserve and present the rich heritage of his beloved homeland, at a moment when humanity is witnessing the eradication of the cradle of civilization. It is his hope that integrating ancient melodies from beautiful Syria and the Silk Road into his compositions will create music that serves as a humanizing force, one which is common to all. Jandali’s music is dedicated to you, the listener. May you find harmony and peace. 

‘Home’ takes advantage of the orchestral colors possible in the saxophone quartet, ranging from brash and powerful to delicate and subtle. The opening movement begins with a dramatic upwards swoop from the saxophone quartet into a driving Vivace. Over driving accompaniment rhythms, the music makes frequent dramatic shifts between short, lyrical phrases and aggressive, articulated passages.

The slower second movement, Andantino, opens with a long, lyrical alto solo accompanied by the baritone’s quasi-pizzicato notes. Eventually the rest of the quartet picks up the seemingly endless melody and thickens the musical texture, building to an impassioned and more rhythmic middle section. This leads to a powerful recapitulation of the opening melody, now grown to utterly epic proportions, which still somehow manages to quickly wind down to a soft, gentle ending.

The final movement follows a modified rondo form, with a syncopated, playful theme punctuating a succession of episodes ranging in mood from gently seductive to violently forceful. A final half-mad accelerando and rhythmically elongated statement of the rondo theme brings ‘Home’ to an exciting conclusion.

About Amstel Quartet

In its 25-year existence, Amstel Quartet has set a new standard for the saxophone quartet and has expanded the instrument to its fullest possibilities. The quartet has an unmistakable group sound, combining virtuosity with deep musicality and expressiveness. In addition to performing adventurous repertoire, Amstel Quartet often collaborates with contemporary composers to realize new and innovative work for saxophone quartet. By continuously searching for what can be possible with four saxophones, Amstel Quartet has absolutely earned the title of ‘most colorful saxophone quartet in the world’.

About Malek Jandali

Malek Jandali is “a uniquely gifted composer” in the words of The Washington Post. His music has been hailed as “a major new addition to the 21st century’s symphonic literature” (by Fanfare magazine). Through his works he seeks to promote cultural communication and understanding. His large-scale orchestral works engage major philosophical themes and integrate Arabic maqams (modes) with persuasive craft and a marked seriousness of purpose that echo UNESCO’s call to preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage of his homeland Syria.

Jandali has produced ten albums of lauded performances encompassing more than forty of his compositions. He is the first Arab musician to have arranged the oldest example of music notation in the world, which was featured on his 2008 album Echoes from Ugarit. Jandali is the recipient of the 2014 Global Music Humanitarian Award, and in 2015 the Carnegie Corporation of New York honored him as a Great Immigrant, a Pride of America. Jandali is also the founder and CEO of Pianos for Peace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building peace through music and education. Malek Jandali was born in Germany and raised in Syria. He now calls Atlanta and New York City his home.