Sigurd Rascher

Sigurd Manfred Rascher (15 May, 1907 to 25 February 2001) was an American saxophonist of German birth, he became a most important figure in the development of the 20th century repertoire for the concert saxophone.

He was born in Elberfeld, Germany. After initial studies of the clarinet at the Stuttgart Musikhochschule (from 1930), he switched to the saxophone and taught at elementary schools and played in concert bands. In 1933 he was appointed to teach the saxophone at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Copenhagen, and in 1934 he received the similar post at the Conservatory in Malmo, Sweden. He held both posts until he moved to the US in 1938.

His American debut in 1939 with the Boston Symphony and New York Philharmonic made him the first saxophonist to appear as a soloist in a subscription concert with both orchestras. He subsequently went on to perform with more than 250 orchestras worldwide. From his time in Germany, Scandinavia and the US stems more than 140 works that were dedicated to him, many counted as among the most important 20th century works for the concert saxophone. Sigurd Rascher also came to teach at the Julliard School, Manhattan School and the Eastman Schools of Music. Of special importance was his emphasise on the extended range of the saxophone, encouraging composers to make use of the range of more than an octave above the conventional f3.

He died in Shushan where he had a farm, in NY,USA.