Andreas van Zoelen - Various Composers: For Now & Forever (2021)

A disc of premiere recordings performed on modern and historic instruments, including Adolphe Sax's tenor saxophone (1861) and an Erard grand piano from 1843.

Saxophonist Andreas von Zoelen studied saxophone and conducting at the Brabants Conservatorium in the Netherlands and has since gone on to perform as a soloist with more than 20 orchestras.

He has also played numerous recitals, many of which with his duo partner Martien Maas at the piano, with whom he has been performing for over two decades.

About 140 works have been written for van Zoelen, many of which for bass saxophone - he is considered a pioneer of this instrument. Van Zoelen could also be admired on many occasions as a musician with the Beethoven Orchester, Bonn, philharmonie zuidnederland and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, to name only a few.

As a recording artist, he has contributed to over 40 CD/ DVD productions. Furthermore and has performed with musicians like Stewart Copeland (the Police), Daniel Kientzy and Markus Stockhausen.

He has a specific interest in the history of the saxophone; his collection numbers over 100 instruments, among which several herald from the atelier of Adolphe Sax, a collection which is therefore unique.

In 2013 he was invited by Leo van Oostrom to join "Edition Sax", an ensemble which focuses on performing early works for the saxophone on historic instruments built by Adolphe Sax.

This new recording showcases both the works written for him and also his extensive collection of instruments.