{"id":101114,"date":"2024-01-03T14:01:22","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T19:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=101114"},"modified":"2024-01-16T18:26:45","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T23:26:45","slug":"interview-steven-banks-talks-saxophone-classical-music-upcoming-debut-toronto-symphony-orchestra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/01\/03\/interview-steven-banks-talks-saxophone-classical-music-upcoming-debut-toronto-symphony-orchestra\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Steven Banks Talks About The Saxophone, Classical Music, And His Upcoming Debut With The Toronto Symphony Orchestra"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Steven
Steven Banks (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steven Banks has a goal: to bring the saxophone into the world of classical music \u2014 not just on the periphery, but as an integral part of orchestral music. He’ll be making his case in Toronto from January 17 to 21.<\/p>\n

His performance represents the Canadian premi\u00e8re of John Adams Concerto for Saxophone, along with Banks\u2019 own debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

Steven Banks, Saxophone<\/h3>\n

Steven Banks is the recipient of the 2022 Avery Fischer Career Grant, and was one of the first (and still few) saxophonists to be awarded First Prize at the Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions.<\/p>\n

His warm tone has been acclaimed by critics as a revelatory addition to the many orchestras he’s performed with, including The Cleveland Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, Utah Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra and Aspen Festival Orchestra, among others.<\/p>\n

Steven first became enthralled with the saxophone and its possibilities after a visiting teacher performed with his high school jazz band during his freshman year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my first time hearing the saxophone played at that level,\u201d he recalls. He was thrilled, and immediately wanted to know more. The same instructor was teaching at the North Carolina School for the Arts, and a plan was formed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ended up going there after getting off the wait list,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was such an intoxicating environment. That’s where I fell in love with classical music.\u201d Despite a background in gospel and soul, he felt classical music\u2019s appeal. \u201cClassical music has always just felt like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Steven
Steven Banks (Photo courtesy of the artist)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steven Banks, Composer<\/h3>\n

\u201cI first started writing just for saxophone,\u201d he says, although he notes that his very first piece also included a part for the piano.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I got into it was very organic.\u201d He began writing music in graduate school while wondering how he would bridge that gap between student life and a professional career. \u201cI just wanted to make music about it,\u201d he says. However, encouraged by friends, composition became a bigger and bigger part of his musical practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, it’s an incredibly integral part of what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

He says writing new music changes the way he looks at older music. \u201cThinking like a composer makes me a much better [artist].\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s currently working on a piece for saxophone and string quartet. \u201cEventually I’d love to write a symphony, but it feels very scary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steven Banks, saxophone, Riko Higuma, piano: As I am by Steven Banks<\/p>\n