An Italian Story: Flute and Piano Recital

As part of the Asia tour of pianist Alberto Firrincieli and flutist Tito Ciccarese, they will have a special performance in Hong Kong, organized by Italian Cultural Institute Hong Kong, with the world premiere of Once upon a time: Fantasy upon themes by Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota, arrangement by Alberto Firrincieli and Tito Ciccarese.

Piano: Alberto Firrincieli

Flute: Tito Ciccarese

Program

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
• Andante K 315 in C major for flute and piano
• 12 Variations upon "Ah, vous dirai-je Maman" for piano solo

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
• Andante con Variazioni upon cavatina “Tu che accendi questo core”, from Tancredi

GAETANO DONIZETTI
• Sonata in C major for flute and piano

• First world premiere: Once upon a time: Fantasy upon themes by Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota
Arrangement by Alberto Firrincieli and Tito Ciccarese

VITTORIO MONTI
• Czarda (transcription for flute and piano)

Alberto Firrincieli

Alberto Firrincieli is an Italian pianist, harpsichord player, composer and scholar. He has received the Honor Award of Knight of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere della Stella d’Italia) in December 2021, and he is winner of the second prize in the International Contest “SIMM 2018 – New Music for Harpsichord”. He is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Music Entrepreneurship at the Assumption University of Thailand, where he opened harpsichord major courses for the first time in Thailand, and where he teaches students major in piano, harpsichord and composition. He established the IKA - International Keyboard Academy in Thailand, and the ITYO – Italian Thai Youth Orchestra. He is the artistic director of Bangkok International Piano Festival and he collaborates with several Embassies in Thailand and abroad and other international institutions in the organization of cultural and artistic events. In 2019 he debuted at Carnegie Hall playing a Toccata by Frescobaldi, invited as special guest, as jury member of the competition IBLA GRAND PRIZE. He is regularly invited as guest speaker and performer from international institutions to hold recitals, conferences, masterclasses, workshops and to present his scientific contributions in international conferences and symposiums.

Tito Ciccarese

A truly eclectic flautist, over the course of his career Tito Ciccarese has cemented himself as a skilful chamber music performer, following the invaluable guidance of his mentor Guido Corti. Born in the Italian town of Cesena, Ciccarese began his studies with Professor Giovanni Gatti at his hometown’s conservatory, eventually graduating under Professor Maurizia Maraldi. He then went on to perfect his skills with top-tier flautists such as William Bennett, Auréle Nicolét, Patrick Gallois, and Jànos Bàlint. He has since founded many chamber ensembles, together with which he has performed most of the major compositions written for his musical instrument. His artistic endeavours have not been limited to what had already been seen or heard before – his innovative spirit has constantly urged him to explore original repertoires and experiment with singular instrumental line-ups, as he has demonstrated during more than 1000 concerts performed in over 40 years. His inventiveness has also led him to initiate fruitful collaborations with living composers who have produced original pieces specifically written for Ciccarese and executed for the first time by him: Mario Pagotto, Marco Betta, Teresa Procaccini, Massimo Di Gesu, Alessandro Spazzoli, Paolo Pessina, Aurelio Scotto, Fabrizio Festa, and Stefano Nanni. Equally appreciated as a solo artist, over the course of his career he has been awarded a number of national and international accolades, and has performed alongside renowned musicians such as Claudio Marcotulli, Guido Corti, Alessio Allegrini, Jànos Balint, Mikhail Pethukov, Dimitri Ashkenazy, Cesare Chiacchiaretta, Scilla Cristiano, Mario Marzi, Bruno Canino.

Ciccarese’s career has not been limited to classical music – in recent years, as part of the ‘Rock in Frac’ ensemble, he has presented a repertoire inspired by the Italian progressive rock scene (New Trolls’ Concerti Grossi and Premiata Forneria Marconi’s musical, Dracula).

Tito Ciccarese is an “Miyazawa Artist”.

Host or Publisher Italian Cultural Institute Hong Kong