Woodwind or Brass?

The saxophone is a unique instrument in the woodwind section. Created by Adolphe Sax in the 1850s, the original design was actually made of wood before he switched over to brass. Like the clarinet, oboe, and bassoon, the saxophone requires a reed to create sound. As a relatively newer instrument, it did not gain as much traction in the orchestral scene, and as written about here, one of the reasons was the makers of other instruments did not like how Adolphe Sax made his own instruments himself, and they convinced orchestras to not play music with saxophones in it. Saxophones made huge headways in marching band in the late 1800s, and then exploded on the scene in jazz. It also is a frequent instrument in rock and roll. 

Highly Worthy Music for Your Listening and Research Pleasure

Saxophone

John Coltrane: My Favorite Things - Obviously John Coltrane did not compose the original, but what he did with Richard Rodgers' song is so unique that it really is his own. This is one of my favorite compositions for soprano saxophone. 

John Coltrane: Giant Steps - Coltrane again, this time on the tenor saxophone. This one is also unique because of atonality and modality, as he shifts so easily and quickly through a ton of modes and keys. 

Charlie Parker: Anthropology - amazing and fast on the alto saxophone.

Charlie Parker: Yardbird Suite - slower paced on the alto saxophone.

Alexander Glazunov - Saxophone Quartet, Op. 109 (1932) - a saxophone quartet piece.

Paul Creston: Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano Op.19 - classical usage of the alto saxophone.

Heitor Villa Lobos: Fantasia for Soprano Saxophone - classical, Brazilian composition.

Gordon Goodwin: Hip Hop from Diffusion - saxophone ensemble

Woodwind Choirs

György Ligeti - Six Bagatelles - a really fascinating composition from Ligeti originally written for piano that he later transcribed for a woodwind choir. As you notice, there's a French horn in the mix! 

Dmitri Shostakovich: Waltz No. 2 - Not originally written for woodwind choir, but nicely done to show the capabilities of the woodwind choir.

Ray Parker: Ghostbusters - nicely done arrangement of Parker's great song. Great example of how to utilize a lot of woodwind instruments in an arrangement.

Amy Beach - Pastorale for Wind Quintet, Op. 151 (1942) - for flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, and bassoon.

Henri Tomasi - Five Danses Profanes et Sacrees for Wind Quintet (1963) - same quintet arranging.

Igor Stravinsky: Octet - adding a few more brass instruments into the ensemble.

David Maslanka: Wind Quintet No. 3 - recent composition for wind quintet.