Sax Doubling

It is commonly believed that viola doubling violin melody in unsion or an octave lower is good, or flute doing the same with violins an octave higher. But what of sax? Will the same principle apply to it, does it go well with violin?

It might be a question of WHICH sax you have in mind and what part of the range. I've read saxes don't blend well, but I suspect there is probably a lot of room to explore since it's not quite an accepted orchestral instrument just yet for most composers.

It would probably add some body to the violin line if you needed to strengthen it.

Compare the sound of a sax with other woodwinds. If played softly it can be as warm as a clarinet and those blend very well with strings.

When the dynamics get louder the sound stands more apart and blends less.

In 20th cnt there have been experiments adding saxes to orchestras. I know of the symphonies of Vaughan Williams that he did it, and I thought Ravel too. In the Vaughan Willams 6th symphony is an tenor saxophone. There he is part of the woodwind passage runs. Sometimes given a solo. In one occasion (quickly scrolling though the score) there is a melody by violins and flutes very high. oboes an octave below, and the sax an octave below that.

So it happens :)