Xian Zhang & Steven Banks
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
“The Sea Hawk” – Overture from the film score
Jacques Ibert
Concertino da camera for alto saxophone and orchestra
Steven Banks
“Come as you are” for saxophone (excerpt)
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 (‘From the New World’)
Be yourself!
What would the ‘New World’ be without the ‘Old’! And without Africa! Korngold and Dvořák brought their culture with them to North America. The saxophone came from Belgium and soon became an indispensable melodic instrument for New Orleans jazz. US saxophonist Steven Banks builds bridges between all these worlds: “As a classical musician, I find that most of my colleagues have little knowledge or understanding of Black culture. As a Black man from North Carolina, many of my family and friends have no real idea what I do and love as a classical performer and composer.”
“Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don’t be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old memory”
(Nirvana / Kurt Cobain, 1991)
Concert with
