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The Secret Piano; Alexis Ffrench, piano
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“Born in 1970 Alexis began to improvise on the piano at the age of 4. A church organist at 7, he won scholarships to study at the Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music, London in 1981. He later won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama graduating with an AGSM Distinction and the Sheriffs' prize for piano. A two-year period of postgraduate study on the Advanced Solo Studies course followed culminating in the 'Premier prix' (Concert recital Diploma.) Alexis first came to prominence as a solo classical pianist in 1992 as a result of winning the first Portobello Concert Artists Award. '...And there was a pianist Alexis Alexander Ffrench who brought the entire audience to its feet, and was subsequetly chosen to appear on television playing music by Samuel Coleridge Taylor.' Michael Dickson, Classical Music Magazine
“In the same year he made his concerto debut as part of Simon Rattle's 'Towards the Millennium' Series performing 'Rhapsody in Blue' at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. 'Alexis Ffrench gave an electrifying performance of the “Rhapsody in Blue” at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which was one the highlights of the Sounds for Silents festival dedicated to links between music and film.' Ian Christie British Film Institute
“Subsequent appearances in the U.K have included concerts at the Barbican and South Bank centres, the Canterbury Festival, St.Martin in the Fields, Peterborough Cathedral as well as live broadcasts on Classic FM and Radio 3. Television broadcasts have included a live performance of music by Samuel Coleridge Taylor with the Commonwealth Chamber orchestra screened on BBC2. Concerts abroad have included a recital tour of Italy including appearances at the Bolzano and Montepulciano festivals and also concerts in Spain and Germany.”
“Alexis combines his activities as a solo concert performer with a Head of Keyboard post at the prestigious Uppingham School. His compositions range from scores for film and television to symphonic and chamber works for the concert hall.”
http://www.zimbio.com/Black+Classical+Composers+and+Musicians/articles/5UfHBgDIyTu/Alexis+Ffrench+b+1970+Black+Classical+Pianist
http://www.zimbio.com/Black+Classical+Composers+and+Musicians/articles/5UfHBgDIyTu/Alexis+Ffrench+b+1970+Black+Classical+Pianist