Classical Quartet Preference

**bronzZoot** · 11-07-2005, 02:37 PM

Do you guys prefer to listen to a quartet that has SATB or AATB?
Why?

**Merlin** · 11-07-2005, 03:28 PM

I like the greater tonal variety and range of SATB. There's also a much greater body of available high-quality works for SATB.

**singlereed** · 11-07-2005, 06:41 PM

I know AATB is said to mirror the string quartet more closely, but heck, we are talking saxophones here! I like to be flexible - 4 sops can be great too, or 4 baritones.

**Merlin** · 11-08-2005, 01:56 AM

If we really wanted to mirror the string quartet, we'd have to have two sopranos, an alto and a bari - preferably all with low A keys.

**TMadness1013** · 11-08-2005, 02:11 AM

I've enjoyed playing in both groups - intonation isn't as much of a problem with an AATB 4tet but as previously mentioned, I also prefer a wider tonal variety.

Has anyone out there listened to the Kelly AATB quartet?

**bronzZoot** · 11-13-2005, 11:43 PM

I agree that there is a wider tonal possibilities when you add a soprano to the mix. It also opens up a whole-nother door in terms of literature to chose from. I've always enjoyed playing AATB mainly because when everyone blends just right... it sounds like a string quartet. But then again, yes we are saxophones and what saxophone wants to sound like a violin?

However, I must say one of my favorite things to listen to is a professional quartet with a class A soprano player...nothing can beat that sound!

**Chris S** · 11-14-2005, 06:25 PM

I prefer SATB, because it more closely resembles a choir. If you look at the waveform of a saxophone and the waveform of a human voice.... they're VERY close. Reminds me of this time a friend and I were playing in a park... and we finished and were packing up, and this little girl comes up to me and says, "Can you sing some more?" And I looked at her and said, "Dear, I wasn't singing, I can play a little more if you want." And she pointed at my horn and said, "No. Sing.... with that."

Best,
Chris S