The Cyclone Saxophone Quartet has been playing together since October 2021. Formed at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium under the guidance of Johan van der Linden, we are a group of passionate saxophonists, either pursuing or having completed our Bachelor’s or Master's studies.

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About us

 

I’m Zane Gerenberga (alto saxophone), a Latvian-born saxophonist. I grew up in a small town, always balancing between the energy of big cities and the peace of nature—something that feels deeply Latvian. This connection to both worlds has shaped me as a musician, influencing the way I interpret and experience music. I came to the Netherlands in 2021 for an Erasmus exchange year and decided to stay to complete my studies, gaining deeper experience in saxophone performance and concert production.

 

Latvian and Baltic music is a rich yet underexplored treasure, blending deep folk traditions with modern, experimental sounds. Our Cyclone Saxophone Quartet is excited to introduce more Latvian music to new audiences, especially in collaboration with choir concerts, where the connection to Latvia’s strong choral tradition feels natural. We aim to perform works like Indra Riše’s “A Held Breath” and Alvils Altmanis’ “Memory Notes of the Childhood”, offering an authentic glimpse into Baltic musical culture. The combination of saxophone quartet and choir is unconventional but deeply expressive, just like Baltic music itself—all it needs is a chance to be heard.

 

Jos Baggermanns (soprano saxophone)

 

Born in the Netherlands in 1995, Jos studied classical saxophone in Zwolle and The Hague. His passion lies in performing and arranging contemporary music, and he has extensive experience as both a saxophonist and a conductor in various ensembles and orchestras. Jos joined Cyclone in August 2023, following previous collaborations with Raquel Núñez (Spain) and Marta Trofimoviča (Latvia).

 

José Tadeo Rey García (tenor saxophone)

 

Coming from Spain, José will begin his master’s degree in saxophone in Utrecht. With a background in cello, he brings a unique musical perspective to the quartet and enjoys exploring both standard and new saxophone repertoire. He is also an active saxophone teacher in the Netherlands.

 

Merle Wölker (baritone saxophone)

 

Born in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2003, Merle will complete her bachelor’s degree in Utrecht this summer. Beyond performing, she organizes concerts and workshops in both the Netherlands and Germany and tours with ensembles such as the Junge Bläserphilharmonie NRW. Additionally, she teaches saxophone and conducts a music association.

 

Repertoire & Musical Style

 

Over the past years, we have performed a diverse range of saxophone quartet repertoire, from classical pieces by Pierné, Singelée, and Debussy to adaptations of Tchaikovsky’s string quartets and Baroque works by Handel and Haydn. Our recent programs have focused on the musical heritage of our home countries, including pieces like Albéniz’s Suite Española and Indra Riše “A Held Breath”.Our repertoire is now expanding into contemporary music, exploring new sounds and techniques unique to the saxophone. For instance, in the piece Der blute Schaffner, we replicate the sounds of a locomotive engine using extended techniques, such as blowing air through our instruments without a mouthpiece.

 

Performances & Projects

 

The Cyclone Saxophone Quartet has performed at major venues, including TivoliVredenburg concert hall in Utrecht, as well as live on Dutch radio. We regularly give concerts in Breda
NL) and Hünxe (Germany) and have collaborated on choral projects, including Bach-themed performances. Hopefully, one of our upcoming projects will focus on the music of the Baltic countries. In addition to performing, we are passionate about education and community engagement. We regularly host saxophone workshops in the Netherlands and Germany, where we work with amateur musicians for a day and conclude with a concert. Through these experiences, we continue to highlight the versatility of the saxophone—an instrument capable of sounding like a full orchestra through the dynamic range of its different voices.