Artists
Claude Delangle (FRA)
Soloist, researcher and pedagogue, Claude Delangle, one of the greatest contemporary saxophonists, stands out as the master of the French saxophone. Privileged interpreter for classic works, he enriches the repertoire and encourages creation by collaborating with the most renowned composers, including L. Berio, P. Boulez, Toru Takemitsu, A. Piazzolla, and promoting the youngest. Since 1986, he is invited saxophonist in the Ensemble Intercontemporain, he also appears as soloist with the most prestigious orchestras (London BBC, Radio France, Radio of Finland, WDR Köln, Berlin Philharmonic, Kioi Tokyo) and works with D. Robertson, P. Eötvös, K. Nagano, E.P. Salonen, Miung Wung Chung, G. Bernstein and many other conductors.
He is also invited to important festivals such as the Zagreb Bienniale , Présences of Radio France or the Musica Nova Festival . The Festival Musica of Strasbourg invited him recently to offer the world premiere of the programme “ Tango Futur ”, interpreted afterwards at the Festival Aix en Musique and at the Theatre of the Palais Royal in Paris.
Passionate for his instrument, he goes beyond the work of the soloist and frequents the Musical Acoustic Laboratories of the University of Paris 7. The results of his research on specific acoustics of the saxophone will be for him a precious asset in his collaboration with composers.
His recordings for BIS, Deutsche Grammophon, Harmonia Mundi, Erato and Verany bring out French music while revealing new musical horizons from the repertoire created by the brilliant Adolphe Sax to the avant-garde works or the popular repertoire.
After obtaining several outstanding Premiers Prix at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique of Paris , Claude Delangle was appointed professor in 1988, where he has created the most prestigious saxophone class in the world.
Henk van Twillert (NED)
(*1959)
studied with Ed Bogaard and concluded his studies for the Superior Soloist diploma cum laude at the Sweelinck Conservatory Amsterdam. Started in 1979 the renowned Amsterdam Saxophone Quartet as well in 1994 the Amsterdam Soloist Quintet. Since 1986 he has formed a duo with pianist Tjako van Schie.
From 2006 he became invited to the Newport Music Festival in the USA. Opened the first Superior Saxophone Class in Portugal at ESMAE in Porto 1999, and the University of Aveiro.
Van Twillert recorded numerous albums and gained worldwide recognition for his interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites (2001). In 2005 Van Twillert initiated the prestigious saxophone group Vento do Norte. Between 2009 and 2011 he lived and worked for his PhD in New York, at the same time Henk started songwriting and completed his album “New York” as singer / bandleader, Mr. Henk & Band.
In 2019 Henk received the “Medal of Merit“ in Aveiro, Portugal, for his exceptional cultural contribution. Performing world wide Henk always carries in his pocket his special program for children “Stars of the Future”
Frank Liebscher (GER)
(*1967)
is a musician and music educator who teaches at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig as well as at the Music School of Leipzig. After completing the intermediate medical examination (Physikum) in human medicine, he devoted himself entirely to music, studying saxophone and arrangement in Leipzig, Champaign-Urbana, and New York City.
Alongside his extensive artistic work as a saxophonist and arranger, he developed strong academic interests, culminating in his doctoral dissertation on “Improvisation and Mental Practice.” This was followed by international lecture engagements, workshops, committee and jury activities, as well as publications on music education topics and work as an author and reviewer for educational publishers.
Among his current artistic projects are the solo program “Liebscher plays Bach!”, featuring his arrangements of J. S. Bach’s Cello Suites (BWV 1007–12) for baritone saxophone — works that have taken him to concert stages across Europe and Israel since 2018 — as well as the program “Palucca meets Bach”, a choreographic interpretation of the suites that was presented at the Bach Festival 2022 in Leipzig.
In early summer 2022, the first complete video recording of the Cello Suites for saxophone was released on YouTube on the channel “Liebscher plays Bach!”.
Vento do Norte (POR)
is a unique ensemble of young saxophonists, all students of Henk van Twillert at ESMAE – the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts in Porto, Portugal. The passionate and talented musicians combine a modern vision of chamber music with distinctive and compelling performances.
Since its formation, the group has performed regularly at various venues and festivals throughout Portugal.
Henk van Twillert & Vento do Norte have undertaken annual tours across numerous countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, the Dutch Antilles, Venezuela, and the United States. They recently made their debut in Poland.
Since 2007, the ensemble has repeatedly won first prize in the chamber music category at the prestigious City of Chieri International Music Competition in Italy.
In 2009, they recorded the CD “Adagio of Saxophones”, followed by “Toot Your Roots” in 2019 — an album that presents composers such as J. S. Bach and A. Piazzolla in a unique and striking way.
Rosa dos Ventos (POR)
is an ensemble formed by students of Henk van Twillert at ESMAE (Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo, Porto). It functions as a creative and dynamic platform, a true “springboard,” for the Vento do Norte group, promoting the artistic development of the new generation of saxophonists through the practice of chamber music.
With a variable formation that is renewed annually, the group adapts to different formations, from quartets to septets, and to diverse repertoires.
The Saxophone quintet Rosa dos Ventos recently is awarded First Prize at the prestigious Chieri International Music Competition in Turin, Italy (2025) for its moving interpretation of Samuel Barber’s Adagio.
In February 2026, the group will be present at the 2nd Leipzig Classical Saxophone Festival, where they will present their interpretation of the Italian Concerto, in the workplace of Johann Sebastian Bach