The saxophone is one of the most popular instruments, so why is it not a regular in the orchestra? Contrary to what some people say, it's not because the sax "doesn't blend" in fact, it was designed with blending in mind, and blends fantastically well with almost any instrument. The real reasons are largely historical to do with the cartellike world of Parisian instrument manufacturers in the 19th Century, and the effect this had on the instrument's perception over the next 100 years.

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Research
I'm particularly indebted to this fantastic research paper:
The Missing Saxophone: Why the Saxophone Is Not a Permanent Member of the Orchestra
Author Info
Ferraro, Mathew C
https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_e...


http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/...

http://time.com/4101405/adolphesaxs...
https://bandestration.com/2014/12/20/...
https://www.theguardian.com/music/tom...

Music:
Rachmaninoff's 1941 Symphonic Dances.    • Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances op.45 ...  
Prokofiev's 1934 suite from "Lieutenant Kije";
   • Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé (Suite), Op...  
Glass (Violin Concerto arr. for Saxophone)
   • Saxophonist Amy Dickson  Philip Glas...