A Decade in the History of Saxophone Repertoire

Following on the success achieved last year, when they raised funds for the University of Malta’s Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT), Batera duo will this year present another fund-raising recital featuring some of the first important works on the history of saxophone repertoire. The saxophone is a relatively modern instrument, having been invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adophe Sax in 1846. Needing some time to evolve and immerse itself in the musical society, the first valid pieces for the saxophone came around in the 1930s. This concert will highlight four of the most important pieces written in this decade, which are essentially also core works of the saxophone repertoire. 

The concert will be held on Thursday 23rd May at Sala Isouard within the Manoel Theatre complex. Tickets at €10 can be obtained from the booking office of the Manoel Theatre or by visiting the website www.teatrumanoel.com.mt. All proceeds will go towards the RIDT.

The University of Malta Research Innovation and Development Trust was established by the Government of Malta as an integral component of Malta’s established policy to bolster investment in research and development on a national level. 

Programme
ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV Concerto for Saxophone in E- flat and Strings (1934)*

JACQUES IBERT Concertino Da Camera for Saxophone Alto and Eleven Instruments (1935)*

EUG ÉNE BOZZA Aria for Saxophone Alto and Piano (1936)

PAUL CRESTON Sonata Opus 19 for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1939)

*transcriptions for saxophone and piano

When booking for this event please mention you saw it advertised on www.maltababyandkids.com

Batera Duo – Biography

Batera Duo brings together Gozitan saxophonist Philip Attard and Maltese pianist Christine Zerafa. Since their debut as a duo in April 2012, they have been invited to perform in major festivals and concert series, including the Emerging Artists Series of the Malta Arts Festival. Individually, Philip and Christine have been regular performers in Malta and overseas and have appeared as soloists and chamber musicians in Spain, France, Austria, Italy, England and Poland. Both Philip and Christine have been recipients of various awards, including the national Young Musician’s Contest (Malta), the 11th Bice Mizzi Competition (Malta) and the RNCM Clifton Helliwel Memorial Award (U.K).

Meanwhile, Philip and Christine are still furthering their musical training. Philip commenced his saxophone studies in Gozo under the tutorship of saxophonist Joseph Vella and is currently reading for a B.A.(Hons) degree in Music at the University of Malta and at the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini in Florence (Italy), majoring in saxophone performance under the tutelage of Godfrey Mifsud and Roberto Frati. He is currently taking master classes with saxophonist Fabrizio Mancuso in Paris. Christine studied in Malta with pianist Joanne Camilleri before furthering her studies overseas. She read for a Masters degree (MMus) in solo piano performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (U.K) under the tuition of Paul Janes and Norma Fisher. At present, she is a student of Andrea Lucchesini as part of the Corso di Perfezionamento at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole in Florence. As a duo, Batera Duo participated in master classes with various international chamber musicians, including Tiziano Mealli, Fabrizio Mancuso, Antonino Mollica, Federico Mondelci, Godfrey Mifsud and Roberto Frati. 

Christine and Philip are very grateful for the support of the Malta Arts Fund and Janatha Stubbs Foundation throughout their studies.
This concert is being organised with the support of the Manoel Theatre.