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Debut Performance - St James Cavalier Music Room
Regular: €10; Concessions: €7
Performers: Philip Attard (saxophone) and Christine Zerafa (piano)
Programme:
P. Iturralde Suite Hellenique
J. Vella Sonata op. 109
D. Milhaud Scaramouche
--------------- Interval -----------------
A. Piazzolla Oblivion
La Muerte del Angel
R. Molinelli Four Pictures from New York
Saxophonist Philip Attard and pianist Christine Zerafa have recently teamed up to form the ‘Batera Duo’, with their first performance being on the 29th April 2012 at St James Cavalier Music Room. This debut will feature a diverse programme of repertoire from the 20th and 21st century, including works by Darius Milhaud, Roberto Molinelli, Ástor Piazzolla, Pedro Iturralde and Joseph Vella.
The chosen repertoire explores a variety of musical styles, ranging from the classical saxophone repertoire represented by Milhaud’s Scaramouche to the sensual tango, which Piazzolla revolutionized by incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. A fusion of musical styles will also be encountered in Iturralde’s Suite Hellenique, a 20th century work which integrates elements of the Greek song into jazz and contemporary music.
Four Pictures from New York, composed in 2001 by one of the leading contemporary composers, Molinelli, not only explores different musical styles from one movement to another, but also exposes the three figures of the saxophone: the soprano, alto and tenor sax. The programme will also include the Sonata op. 109 for saxophone and piano, by Maltese composer Joseph Vella, which represents the very rare, yet existing saxophone repertoire originating from the Maltese islands.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the Research Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) of the University of Malta.
Batera Duo
The name ‘Batera’ (meaning ‘conjunction’ in the Basque language) originates from the combination of the relatively different musical backgrounds of two young individuals into a unique sense of performing style. Following his excellent debut as a soloist with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra last March, Gozitan saxophonist Philip Attard joined forces with Maltese pianist Christine Zerafa, who has recently returned to her home country after pursuing her music studies overseas. Energy, fun and passion, combined with strong musicianship is what perfectly describes this recently formed duo, a fusion of qualities which can guarantee that the audience will be in for a treat of some fine music-making.
Biographies
Philip Attard commenced his saxophone studies at a young age under the tutorship of saxophonist Joseph Vella, and since then he has had the opportunity to participate in several master classes in Malta, Italy, England and France, with the renowned saxophonists Gilles Tressos, Masakata Hirano, Sylvain Malezieux and Fabrizio Mancuso. He is currently reading for a B.A. (Hons) degree in Music, majoring in saxophone performance under the tutelage of Godfrey Mifsud. Philip is also active in local band scene, prominently the ‘Big Band Brothers’, and an avid chamber musician, being part of the ‘Chamber Saxophone Quartet’ and ‘Sassofoni Saxophone Quartet’.
Philip has performed as a soloist in Spain, France, Austria, Italy, England and the Maltese islands, including the Gaulitana Festival, Victoria Arts Festival and Performer`s Platform Concert Series. Besides, he has been engaged in several concerts organised by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he has also made his debut as a soloist last March. Besides being a regular performer, Philip has a great passion for teaching and is currently a tutor of saxophone performance at the Johann Strauss School of Music and at the Gozo School of Music.
Christine Zerafa has recently completed a Masters degree (MMus) in Solo Performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, under the tuition of Paul Janes and Norma Fisher. Prior to her studies in the U.K, she studied in Malta with Ramona Zammit Formosa at the Johann Strauss School of Music and later with Joanne Camilleri, under whose tutorship she obtained her LRSM with distinction. Christine has been recipient of various awards, including first prize in the 11th Bice Mizzi Competition, the prestigious RNCM Clifton Helliwel Memorial Award, and her studies were kindly supported by the Janatha Stubbs Foundation, Malta Arts Fund, and the Silverstone bursary.
Christine has performed at various venues in Malta, UK and Poland both as a soloist and chamber musician, including the Chopin Festival at RNCM. Having a great passion for chamber music and piano accompaniment, Christine has worked with many instrumentalists and singers and has also had to opportunity to study piano accompaniment and chamber music repertoire with members of internationally renowned ensembles. Christine is now based in Malta and is establishing herself as a solo concert pianist, chamber musician and piano tutor. Meanwhile she is also a student of Andrea Lucchesini as part of the ‘Corso di Perfezionamento’ at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Florence.
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