Adolphe Sax

Adolphe Sax, Antoine Joseph Sax actually, ( born November 6, 1814 Dinant, † February 7, 1894 in Paris) was a Belgian instrument maker and musician, he was the developer of the Saxhorns and the saxophone.

Biography

Adolphe Sax was one of eleven children. Sax family moved to Brussels in 1835, where his father Charles Joseph Sax, a cabinetmaker, an instrument workshop opened. Adolphe visited the Brussels Conservatory and studied flute, clarinet, vocals and harmony there. His first independent work as a tool maker in his father's workshop was the perfection of clarinet and bass clarinet ( 1840).

Without means (his father spent a lot of money in his experiments and was repeatedly supported by the government ), he went in 1842 to Paris, the only recommendation he took a copy of which he developed entirely new instrument, the (soprano ) saxophone, with and soon attracted the attention of various personalities of Parisian musical life (Jacques Fromental Halévy, Daniel -François- Esprit Auber, etc.). In particular, he found in Hector Berlioz an energetic helpers, which also soon joined by sponsors.

Sax now built the saxophone in eight different sizes ( sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, subcontrabass ). His experience, particularly that of his father on the best response of the tubes, then he transferred to the construction of trumpets, horns, tubes, etc. and gave them in their new form, the name Saxtromba, saxhorn, Saxtuba etc., as a "family of Saxhorns " were known.

On March 21, 1846 Sax was awarded a patent in France and arrived so quickly to great fame; his instruments were introduced, especially in the French military music. The originality of his improvements were often challenged by jealous competitors, which he took its crown; but fell judicial decisions from always in favor of Sax.

Sax in 1857 saxophone teacher at the Paris Conservatoire ( this site was set in 1871 for lack of money and again until 1942 by Marcel Mule newly occupied ). He also issued a school for the saxophone - playing and he built instruments. From 1858 Sax was director of the Stage Orchestra of the Paris Opera.

He was a knight in the Order of the Oak Crown.

Sax was inducted into the Masonic lodge Les Amis de l' Union Vrais 1842. In recognition of his achievements ( 3534 ) Sax was named after him, the asteroid.

Reception in literature and theater

2005 was the children's concert revue "The Adventures of Monsieur Sax", jointly developed by the Cologne-based actor Martin Home and the Pindakaas saxophone quartet, which was directed by Thomas Philipzen. The play tells the life story of child-friendly Adolphe Sax and the invention of the saxophone family. 2007 sent the West German Radio in Cologne a radio play version of the piece live, 2008, the children's radio drama CD "The Adventures of Monsieur Sax" was published. This received an honorable mention from the jury at the German children's storyteller award at the ARD Radio Play Days 2008.

Trademarks Adolphe Sax & Cie

The Belgian Karel Goetghebeur has bought the rights to the name " Adolphe Sax & Cie " and is now trying to revive the defunct brand again.

Documentation

  • Who invented the saxophone? Biography of Adolphe Sax A podcast contribution of the radio station NDR Info from the series of world knowledge from 23 June 2011 to Podcast.de
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