Welcome to our second Festival update. We are in the final stages of completing the program and very shortly you’ll be able to find outline of the schedule on the website. Watch this space!
Early Bird registrations are closing soon. We’ve extended our deadline until 15 May, so get in now and save. Register here.
We are delighted to confirm that Philippe Geiss, Saxophone, France, and Philippe Cuper, Clarinet, France will be two of our guest international artists. Both will be performing in our Gala concerts at the Melbourne Recital Centre – full details very soon.
Philippe Geiss, Saxophone – sponsored by Selmer and Rico
Over the last two decades, Philippe Geiss has established an international reputation as a virtuoso, having performed on his own and in ensembles in variety of styles throughout Europe, South America, and United States. His discography includes more than twenty CD’s in which he performs as both leader an a sideman, taking in as many genres as he has saxophones. With the CD “Saxophones and Percussion” he won the French Recording Award for Chamber Music. He has work with many famous European contemporary music composers: G.Aperghis, Y.Fedele, L.De Pablo, C.Lauba, F.Rossé, E.Rolin, C.Miereanu, JC.Risset, D.Mabry, etc.
He is a saxophone teacher in the Strasbourg Music Conservatory in France. He leads a class of more than 70 students from different countries. He has given master classes in prestigious conservatories and universities: New York University (Blue note master class) / Maryland University- Washington / New England Conservatory – Boston / Shepperd University (USA) / Syracuse University (USA) / George Mason University (USA) / Monaco Music Academy / Conservatory of: Enschede (Holland) / Luxembourg / Boulogne / Stuttgart / Marseille / Bordeaux / Nice etc. Concerts / Festivals: Ludwigsburg (Germany) , Freiburg (Germany), Jijona (Spain), Valencia (Spain) ,Buenos-Aires(Argentina), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Bolton Valley (USA), Pesaro (Italy), Podsreda (Slovenia), Bonn (Germany), Berlin (Germany),St Gall (Switzerland), Anvers (Belgium), Brussels (Belgium), MUSICA-Strasbourg (France), Perelada (Spain), Enschede (Holland), Minneapolis (USA), Ljubljana (Slovenia), etc… He is a SELMER & RICO artist.
Philippe Cuper, Clarinet – sponsored by Buffet Crampon
Born in Lille, his teachers have been : G.Voisin (a student of Louis Cahuzac), G.Dangain, H.Druart, G.Deplus, Philippe Cuper went to the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and in 1980 he won the first prize for chamber music. He also studied musicology at the Sorbonne and was advised by J.Lancelot and S.Drucker of the New York Philharmonic.
His success in international competitions is also impressive : Genève, Vercelli (1979), Munich (overall prize in 1982), Prague (1986 unanimous first prize), Slovak price , MRAVINSKY medal St Petersbourg. Philippe Cuper now sits on the jury in Munich and Prague. He was invited by J.E Gardiner to be soloist at the Opéra de Lyon and by Alain Lombard for the Orchestre de Bordeaux.
After having been soloist at the Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux and solo clarinet for the Orchestre Mondial des Jeunesse musicales, in 1984 he become principal soloist for the Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris.
He has also developed his career with major international orchestras, such as the Czech Philharmonic and the Munich Bavarian radio orchestra. He has played under prestigious conductors: L.MAAZEL, W.SAWALLISH, S.OZAWA, P.BOULEZ, D.BARENBOÏM, Z.MEHTA, G.PRETRE, J.CONLON… In chamber music he has partnered M.W CHUNG, P.BADURA-SKODA, M.DALBERTO, D.LIVELY, L.CABASSO, PH.CASSARD, F.CHAPLIN, C.HUGONNARD-ROCHE, O.CHARLIER, L.KORCIA, J.P WALLEZ, A.BRUSSILOWSKI, A.MOGLIA, G.CAUSSE, B.PASQUIER, N.SANTOS, A.MEUNIER, C.HENKEL… and he has played in numerous quartets (Rosamonde, Parisii, Arpeggione, Alcan (Canada), Talich, Kocian and Venus (Prague), Takacs (Budapest), Wilanow (Warsaw), Trio Wanderer, strings Trio (Czech), Trio Tchaikowsky (Moscow).
Philippe Cuper has played as a soloist in nearly 50 orchestras, interpreting both the classic repertoire and debut performances of contemporary works (A.Girard, N.Bacri, T.Escaich, G.Conesson, J.F Zygel, Ph.Dulat ..). He has also recorded over 50 works on 20 compact discs. Since 1997, Philippe Cuper has represented France at the European Clarinet and Saxophone society : he appears in the list of top players in Pamela Weston : “Clarinet Virtuosi of today” published by Egon, London. He has edited two collections devoted to the clarinet with Edition Robert Martin (for clarinet ensembles) and Editions IMD Arpèges, Paris.
He has collaborated with the Lys-Dante record company to re-record on compact disc the great masters of the clarinet, Louis Cahuzac, Auguste Perier and René Verney. Philippe Cuper writes articles for “The Clarinet” (USA), “Clarinet and Saxophone” (London), “Clarinet and Saxophone” (Australia), “La Lettre du Musicien” (France) and “Haroniques” (France). He plays the Buffet Crampon RC, RC Prestige and Tosca clarinets.
Trade Exhibition
We have an exciting line up for our trade exhibition with many companies and manufacturers coming from around Australia and New Zealand. All the latest gear will be available at the festival for you to try and buy. Take this opportunity to explore everything clarinet and saxophone under the one roof. For links to all the website visit our sponsors page.
Premium Traders
Melbourne Brass and Woodwind – Representing Buffet as well as own retail store.
Musiclink – representing Selmer Paris
Grevillea – representing Vandoren, neotech, legere, & Might Bright.
Dicksons Music – representing Yamaha as well as own retail store
Music Services NZL – representing Backun
International Woodwind – representing Oleg accessories as well
Standard Traders
Music Place – representing Temby and own retail store
Reed Music – retail
Music Junction – retail
Teacher on Tap – retail
It is time to get on board, get registered and start planning that trip to Melbourne – don’t forget your winter woollies and that credit card for the traders and the additional shopping that Melbourne has to offer.