Sergei Rachmaninov Cello Sonata, Op. 19 Movement IV for Baritone Saxophone

Rachmaninoff’s Sonata for Cello and Piano was completed in 1901. This work is a part of Rachmaninoff’s resurgence of composition that came after a three year bout with mental health issues that followed a negative response to the premiere of his first symphony in 1897. This sonata was dedicated to Rachmaninoff’s great friend and colleague Anatoliy Brandukov. Brandukov and Rachmaninoff premiered the work in December of 1901, just a short time after the premiere of his famous second piano concerto. This piece must be approached as a true duo work, as the piano and cello parts are equally important and difficult. This is a beautiful tribute to a long and meaningful friendship.
Steven Banks, baritone saxophone
Chen-Shen Fan, piano
Nichols Hall
Evanston, IL
November 9, 2016

[@MrJohnTehan]

Who says that the saxophone is not an orchestral instrument? Wrong!!! - utterly beautiful.

[@imauz1127]

i just watched a video on this. the sax is most fit for the orchestra out of any instrument. unfortunately, it was historically shunned in europe and composers were often pressured not to use it in compositions. this has perpetuated ever since

[@rlrihards948]

Ok, Alto and Tenor is bit understandable, but Soprano and Baritone?! Soprano literally sounds like from heaven and baritone has that cello tone but putted like-in-metal instrument (Ik that Sax is woodwind)

[@imauz1127]

@@rlrihards948 that's why kapustin included them in his orchestral works.

[@joeytheredkangaroo9393]

To me the Soprano sounds like an Oboe when played well. @@rlrihards948

[@rlrihards948]

Btw, Saxophone was origionally made for Orchestra.

[@evanvarns4785]

If I didn't know Rachmaninoff composed this for cello, you'd have a really hard time convincing me it wasn't originally written specifically for baritone saxophone. It takes MAJOR chops to play it this well, but it suits the bari sax voice perfectly. Bravo, Dr. Banks!

[@gracebertram8977]

Steven Banks is the total authority for classical baritone playing no questions

[@oreodog]

Something about the way a Bari sounds in that upoer register is just so charming and sweet

[@rebekahpeytonmusic]

I have listened to this several times and I cannot get over the beautiful tone you have! You give the instrument a gentle presence that it is never associated with!

[@Shooshie128]

Fantastic job, Mr. Banks! Please accept my highest accolades for a stunning performance on the saxophone. And for your duo partner, too, Mr. Fan. I don't know how many people realize how unusual this is, but I do. This is superb musicianship on an instrument that truly resists such playing. Congratulations.

[@markwatters314]

Steven Banks you are a fabulous player!! Rachmaninoff would have been thrilled to hear this! Your technical command of the instrument is wonderful but your musicality is striking for someone so young. Congratulations and all the best to you in your musical journey!

[@zangsax]

And you would know an excellent player mr Waters.

[@Shooshie128]

Absolutely beautiful baritone saxophonistry! I am able to forget that this is a transcription and imagine that Sergei had a thing for the saxophone. Your manipulation of the airstream is masterful! I hear lots of evidence of the amazing influence of mouthpiece exercises. Those pianissimo passages don’t play themselves, and you are really able to place those lines right inside the piano noodling, creating wonderful colors and tension/release. What a performance! Thank you for putting this on KZbin. Best wishes, Steven, and I hope that your career as a performer is as successful as your playing of this piece. -- Shooshie PS: I see that I left a message 3 years ago, too. See? This performance stands the test of time!

[@kms_domo]

My lord, what clean altissimo on the bari! How do you get such rich tone in such a high register? Mine always comes out more like a squeek.

[@bme7491]

Excellent Maggio embouchure?

[@franciscosantos847]

@@bme7491 maggio embochure isnt for trumpet?

[@bme7491]

@@franciscosantos847 Sorry, just "embrouchure".

[@bloodyscalp94]

Just like playing in control on lower notes, you need to put a little less mouthpiece in and blow a bit harder. Putting more mouthpiece in will cause a squeak at high notes.

[@rlrihards948]

​@@bloodyscalp94 Yes. Playing Soprano helped for me cuz of it's difficulty to control sound. Bari and Alto now feels for me a lot easier.

[@DrDaab]

Absolutely Wonderful ! Love that centered warm Bari Tone :)

[@loksam01]

How could someone dislike this video?

[@jacobm1734]

A trumpet player

[@jnbplaysgames]

cause they're jealous of the skillz

[@YungMajinBuu]

INSANE recovery at 9 min! The amount of discipline alone it takes to continue nailing altissimo notes when they become unresponsive is absolutely incredible. The opening of the piece was an absolute delight. I wish you so much success on your journey!

[@adamsaunders790]

I am so happy to hear this! I wanted to play this throughout my undergrad and never finished the arrangement. Stunning performance!

[@vitolpsax]

beautiful! and your sound on bari is just amazing!!

[@downychick]

Absolutely stunning performance that brought tears to my eyes! The world needs more beautiful bari sax music. May God bless you as your share your gift with the world.

[@elliotaxelman2767]

Wow. This guy makes the case for the bari sax being a super versatile instrument. That is some really clean high notes.

[@tibpth.S-ofun.8394]

What a musician and sound he has..!🎷💥, i still have so much to work on and undertsand...

[@Novemben]

This is just wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with the world 💜

[@lesterwyoung]

Gorgeous tone!

[@VisionScientist]

I have played the alto, tenor and baritone saxophones and am impressed by your tone!

[@jericolozares8446]

THIS JUST MADE MY YEAR. BRAVO

[@JazzSaxUT]

Very nice, Steven! Bravo!

[@Saxymancan]

Bravo Sire, beautiful tone.

[@raymiller5895]

Where were classical baritone sax pieces when I was in high school? None sound as good this from what I remember until college

[@antiqueandroid]

Incredibly beautiful ✨

[@mkshffr4936]

You sir are outstanding!

[@haigminassian8640]

Absolutely enchanting

[@cachica1123]

1:34 Feliz navidad

[@zangsax]

What a beautiful player!

[@lesterwyoung]

Beautiful!

[@xiangji666]

That is terrific!!!!!!

[@EsterXavier]

What a joy to hear yoy play! Thanks! And congratulations! #brasil

[@abbeediaz]

Wow. Just wow.

[@DarrylJohnsonII]

Soooo musical- awesome work!!!

[@mdsaj6316]

Impressionante ! Parabéns ao colega de Barítono. Lindo lindo timbre e ótimas técnicas. Perfomance perfeita. Parabéns ! Muito agradável vê-lo e ouvi-lo. 👌🏻👌🏻🇧🇷🇧🇷🎷🎷😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@jeanfred1200]

Great... Wonderful...!

[@dallassax]

Fabulous. I watched a couple videos of your quartet. Is this a new bari?

[@MusicClassicalVideos]

Beautiful performance! Bravo!!!

[@norbertwfroese7092]

The tone !!! ❤

[@rylanvillarreal2696]

Hello Mr Banks, absolutely stunning performance. Is there a way to possibly purchase or download the score for this piece?

[@braydenk.8348]

This is just so fucking cool to me. Nice job dude.

[@rloomis3]

Spectacular! Bravo.

[@sbanks590]

rloomis3 thank you!!

[@bloodyscalp94]

You sound great!

[@DarwinsChihuahua]

Stellar!

[@dylanroyal1760]

There was a comment that was posted 2 years ago that was asking why Professor Banks moves while he plays? my response was that people feel music different ways, some people move when they play, some people don’t. I personally love seeing performances like this, I love them because he’s expressing how he feels about the music while he’s playing and I do the same thing.

[@georgebrady2751]

Phenomenal!

[@saxmusicmail]

Applause!!!

[@leadingmusicians]

Steven Banks, baritone saxophone, and Chen-Shen Fan, piano, play a musically vibrant version of the 4th movement of Sergei Rachmaninov's Cello Sonata. An inspiring performance!

[@dufilgueiras]

Que beleza de som!!!!

[@noamalizia362]

Wowo 🎷

[@mr_bari_9927]

Oh my gosh... I wanna be that good

[@mostainless1839]

Masterfully done both of you! Did the 2nd movement work poorly for saxophone? Can't find it.

[@jacobbass6437]

Idk, but the second movement is quite difficult from a technical standpoint as the sax can’t articulate as easily as a cello as well as the rapid arpeggios that aren’t easy. As well, probably time limits factored into it. The dance movement is usually what gets cut in a piece.

[@noobtiles7066]

I was wondering the same thing! I was interested as it is probably my favorite movement

[@raphaeljosemartins5660]

Qual é o setup do saxophone ??

[@MrSax93]

@ Steven Banks hello where i can find the score?

[@jacquelineflett8702]

Is anyone aware of where this score can be found?

[@javierjaneiro5725]

The score for chello can be found at IMSLP

[@ThePearsch]

Align notes with bass clef and add 3 sharps to transpose www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=63871

[@saxgray]

What make and model is the bari sax ?

[@TrebleDragon]

0:49 - eargasm

[@user-wr9zq2fi9w]

えげつない

[@rlrihards948]

Unpopular opinion: Bari sax sounds better than cello and can do it's repertoire more beautifully.

[@lucasgust7720]

How you dear to play this in saxophone!