Is Paganini’s Caprice No. 5 on sax the most impressive display of circular breathing ever?

2 October 2017, 17:28 | Updated: 3 October 2017, 09:58

When his fans asked him whether he was trained as a classical musician, Pedro responded with this epic video.

Saxophonist Pedro Rafael Garcia Moreno, otherwise known as Pedrosaxo, has absolutely mastered Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 5, all from memory – and it’s everything you could hope for.

Known by his fans for constantly striving to break both technical and artistic musical boundaries, as well as having a very unique personal style of playing the saxophone, Pedrosaxo has been asked numerous times whether he originally trained as a classical musician. This question was the motivation for this awe-inspiring video below and he definitely proved the extent of his talent.

Paganini's Caprice No. 5, originally composed for violin in the early 19th century, is considered to be one of the most technically difficult pieces for the violin and is known for its incredible speed.

“In order to play the Paganini like this, it took me several years and I have almost injured my tendons a few times due to the speed at which my fingers had to move. Also, I had to add the circular breathing and the double tonguing because I wanted to mimic a real interpretation of this caprice from a violinist's perspective,” said Pedro.

Pedro also admitted this is “one of the most exceptional challenges he has ever faced”, but a huge personal accomplishment.

Pedrosaxo studied at the Conservatory of Granada, Spain, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, while working as a saxophone professor at Middle Tennessee State University. And he isn’t just a YouTube sensation – he has appeared as a finalist on Spain’s Got Talent and has also performed across the United States, Europe and Asia.

For more videos, check out his website and YouTube channel.

If this got you in the mood for more impressive Paganini Caprices, check out this version of his No. 24 on flute...

And to perfect your circular breathing, watch Alexander Armstrong learn from the best, Australian saxophonist Amy Dickson...