The Sharp End

The Sharp End, Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakisfor saxophone quartet The Sharp End was composed during my 2009-10 residency with the McGill University Saxophone Quartet, under the direction of Abe Kestenberg. Having had ample time to work with the ensemble, to explore their repertoire of music, techniques, and timbres, I set about developing a piece that attempts to take advantage of the “woodwindesque” lyricism and sweetness, as well as the “brassy” power and raucousness of the instruments.