Mischa Zupko to Release Album of Saxophone Compositions

Mischa Zupko began learning the piano at age three from his father, composer Ramon Zupko. It wasn’t until much later that he realized composing was his true passion. In an article published in the Chicago Reader, Zupko reflected:

It was really almost like an epiphany, that I needed to do this, when I was about 24 years old. And that’s usually the time when [musicians] are getting some headway on their careers. And here I was, trying to figure out where the trumpets were on an orchestral score.

In 1999, Timothy McAllister commissioned Zupko to write a large-scale work for saxophone and piano. The result, In Transit, raised awareness of Zupko’s work throughout the saxophone community. This interest was amplified when legendary saxophonist Fredrick Hemke made In Transit an audition requirement at Northwestern University for many years.

Later this year, Cedille will record From the Skyline — an album featuring commissioned saxophone works performed by saxophonist Timothy McCallister, composer and pianist Mischa Zupko, the Civitas Ensemble, and ~Nois saxophone quartet.

The recording’s title track refers to the Chicago skyline, which Zupko viewed from his 15th-floor condo on Chicago’s Sheridan Road as he composed the piece.

Civitas will offer the premiere recordings of In Sympathy and Anechoic Rhapsody. The ensemble commissioned the latter in 2020 to celebrate its longtime Board President (and current Cedille Board member), Judy McCue. Zupko created a new version to feature alto saxophone (in place of the original clarinet part) for McAllister to join Civitas in this premiere recording. ~Nois will record Quantum Shift, a work it co-commissioned.

Zupko says: “Writing for saxophone has been a continually expanding journey of discovery throughout my life as a composer ever since Timothy McAllister premiered In Transit over 25 years ago. The instrument’s expressive range and the intrepid creativity of saxophonists, an inspiring community of innovators, continue to feed my imagination. This album is a tribute to their bold spirit, the instrument’s rich and inclusive history, and the ever-expanding possibilities of classical music.”

Cedille is eager to release this album in fall 2026.