By Xavier Bichon
Nexas Quartet’s concert, A Tribute to Nadia, held at Mosman’s Holy Family Catholic Parish on Sunday, 23 March 2025, was a mesmerizing exploration of the legacy of the renowned French composer and educator, Nadia Boulanger (1887 – 1979).
As part of the 2MBS Fine Music Sydney’s Artists in Residence, Nexas Quartet showcased their extraordinary talent, performing works by Boulanger’s students, including George Gershwin, Astor Piazzolla, and César Franck.
Nexas Quartet, known for their leadership in the saxophone quartet world, delivered a performance marked by verve, audacity, and virtuosity. Their playing was both technically brilliant and emotionally captivating. With an obvious affection for the material, they wove a spell of enchantment over the audience, balancing intellectual depth with sheer musical pleasure. Saxophonist Jay Byrnes, a standout figure, displayed his unique talent for re-arranging standards for saxophone. The quartet’s renditions of César Franck’s Prélude, Fugue et Variation and Nadia Boulanger’s Trois Petites Pièces were nothing short of breathtaking—masterful, electrifying, and an absolute tour de force of musical brilliance. Byrnes’s arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s Milonga del Ángel and La Muerte del Ángel brought new life to these iconic pieces, immersing the audience in the spirit of the New Tango.
The quartet’s interpretation of Philip Glass’ Concerto for Saxophone Quartet was a standout moment, its shifting layers and repetitive phrases creating an entrancing atmosphere. They closed the performance with a fascinating take on Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a fitting and exhilarating conclusion to an afternoon of superb saxophone music. In all, it was a concert that combined technical brilliance, emotional depth, and a sense of joy—everything one could hope for on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.