FRENCH CINEMATIC ICONS: BOLLING AND BEYOND | CONCERT

Les icônes du cinéma français : Bolling et bien plus

Sunday 10 November 05:00 pm

Alliance Française de Singapour , Alliance Française de Singapour

ADD TO CALENDAR 2024-11-10 09:00:00 2024-11-10 11:00:00 FRENCH CINEMATIC ICONS: BOLLING AND BEYOND | CONCERT Les icônes du cinéma français : Bolling et bien plus Alliance Française de Singapour

About the concert

4 days before the grand opening of the French Film Festival, immerse yourself back in the world of French cinema, joining "French Cinematic Icons: Bolling and Beyond" concert, and discover the most iconic French composers and their award-nominated and acclaimed movie soundtracks interpreted by Singapore Symphony Orchestra musicians.

This piano-flute-double bass-percussion quartet will take you through the charming universe of both classic and contemporary French films such as Amélie Poulain with "Comptine d'un autre été" by Yann Tiersen, The Shape of the Water with "Elisa's Theme" by Alexandre Desplat, The Artist with "Waltz for Peppy" by Ludovic Bource and so much more... In addition to these iconic pieces, the concert will also feature five movements from the famous Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio composed by the world-renowned French film composer and jazz pianist Claude Bolling (California Suite, Joker, The Holiday...)

Artists

Kseniia Vokhmianina, piano
Roberto Álvarez, flute
Julian Li, double bass
Ramu Thiruyanam, percussion

Here is a little preview of what to expect in our theatre, on 10 November👈

About the artists

Roberto Álvarez, flute

Diversity of styles is the hallmark of Roberto’s concerts and recitals. In fact, he feels just as comfortable performing classical, baroque or avant-garde music.

A multi-award-winning musician, Roberto Álvarez has established himself as a pioneering force in the world of contemporary music, with a particular emphasis on performing world premieres. His deep commitment to expanding the flute repertoire has led him to collaborate closely with composers, resulting in numerous pieces written specifically for him. Beyond the stage, Roberto Álvarez is a dedicated and inspiring educator, passionate about nurturing the next generation of flautists. His teaching career spans prestigious institutions, including the School of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, as well as the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music in Thailand. Roberto is known for his ability to unlock his students' potential, guiding them with the same enthusiasm and precision that defines his own performances. His influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the musical journeys of young artists across Asia and fostering a deeper appreciation for the flute. He has performed as Solo Piccolo at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since July 2007.

Kseniia Vokhmianina, piano

Hailed as a performer with an “artistry of the highest order” by Straits Times and “maturity of musicianship and virtuosity” by Pianomania, multi-award-winning Ukrainian pianist Kseniia Vokhmianina has gained critical and audience attention as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Kseniia’s latest performances brought her to prominent international venues including Seoul Arts Centre (South Korea), the Auditorium Olivier Messiaen (France), Institut Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie (Belgium)... Ms Vokhmianina opened the 27th edition of the Singapore International Piano Festival with her solo recital “…in a grand manner of pianism in the tradition of her birthplace’s classical greats, such as Shura Cherkassky, Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter…” Besides her international performing career, Kseniia is a dedicated music educator, working for several years at the Music Faculty at School of The Arts (SOTA) and recently joining the Madison Academy of Music

Li Yongrui - Julian, double bass

Singaporean double bassist Julian Li possesses a wealth of professional orchestra experience, having served as Associate Principal Double Bass of the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra (2017-2020) and Principal Double Bass of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra (2015-2017). Since his return to Singapore in 2020, Julian freelances regularly with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and is Principal Bassist for numerous orchestras and ensembles in Singapore, such as Red Dot Baroque, Resound Collective, and Metropolitan Festival Orchestra. He is also the Mentor Bassist for Orchestra of Music Makers.

Outside of his orchestral career, Julian is an established bass soloist and chamber, having won First Prizes in various international music competitions. During his studies under Ernst Weissensteiner at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Graz (KUG), Julian was also featured as soloist for Rotary Club and performed extensively as a member of the KUG's Base Quartet. More recently, he was also featured as a soloist with the Kids' Philharmonic (2023) and with the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra (2024). Julian is a founding member of Bass Around Asia (BAA), a Taiwan-based double bass ensemble established in 2019 with the aim of promoting double bass chamber music in Asia.

A keen advocate of quality bass education in Singapore, Julian teaches the double bass privately and in local educational institutions. He has also organised bass masterclasses and workshops as part of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra Bass Day (2022 & 2023) as well as the Kids' Philharmonic Bass Ensemble Workshop.

Julian plays on a Rudolf Götz, 1929.

Ramu Thiruyanam, vibraphone, percussion, drum

Ramu Thiruyanam is a distinguished vibraphonist, percussionist, and drummer, recognised for his deep commitment to both music education and performance. A highly sought-after performer, clinician, and educator, Ramu graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music and is a recipient of the National Arts Council Arts Bursary. As a versatile musician, he excels across diverse disciplines, leading Project Ra: The Vibes Collective, while regularly performing with the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and contributing to numerous theatre and musical productions. His approach, grounded in improvisation, seeks to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary music traditions.

Ramu currently serves as the Head of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) under the Singapore Symphony Group (SSG). He is an adjunct faculty member at the School of the Arts (SOTA). Additionally, he is proud Ludwig/Musser Artist and Vic Firth Education Endorser.