Description

Programme

Ravel: Sonatine arr. D. Walter
Prokofiev: 5 Melodies arr. R. Scholfield
Chopin: 8 Polish Songs arr. R. Scholfield
Jules Demersseman: Fantaisie sur un thème originale
Fernande Decruck: Sonate
Gershwin: 4 Preludes arr. M. Shaposhnikova/ R.Scholfield


Richard Scholfield is a Scottish saxophonist whose artistic approach weaves together tradition and innovation. His nuanced and characterful performances create meaningful connections with audiences and collaborators.

Alongside his passion for showcasing the diverse and often underappreciated repertoire of the saxophone, Richard is committed to expanding this repertoire by writing new arrangements and transcriptions of historical works originally composed for other instruments. His work as a freelance musician encompasses solo and chamber recitals, performances with leading Scottish orchestras, education and community music projects, and frequent and varied appearances with the award-winning Campus Trio in partnership with Live Music Now Scotland. He is delighted to be a 2020 City Music Foundation Artist.

Skilled in arranging and transcribing, Richard is always looking for new opportunities to explore the capabilities of the saxophone and expand its repertoire further. Breathing new life into established works, he has created a wide range of solo and chamber transcriptions including Dvorak?s Piano Trio No. 4 ?Dumky? and Poulenc?s Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano (for the Campus Trio; two saxophones and piano), as well as the works of J.S. Bach (Partita for solo flute, BWV 1013 on soprano saxophone, and the Violin Partita, BWV 1006 on alto saxophone). Other arranging projects include a reduction of Glazunov?s alto saxophone concerto for saxophone and string quartet, and newly transcribed works for saxophone and piano by Prokofiev, Chopin and Gershwin.

Richard was awarded a distinction in the 2021 Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition, and has performed concertos with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (2018), the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Wind Orchestra (2017) and the Kelvin Ensemble (2017). Richard has also appeared with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra of Scottish Opera. 

In 2019, Richard joined the London Sinfonietta Academy and the European University of Saxophone, receiving guidance from some of the finest saxophonists in Europe, including Claude Delangle, Vincent Davide, Christian Wirth, Daniel Gauthier, Mariano Garcia and Joonatan Rautiola. He also attended the SAX18 festival at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2018 where he worked with Willem van Merwijk and Arno Bornkamp, and has taken part in additional masterclasses with renowned saxophonists including Philippe Geiss and Kyle Horche.

Richard gained a Master of Arts degree in saxophone performance from the Royal Conservatoire in 2019 under Josef Pacewicz and visiting professor Arno Bornkamp. During his studies he was awarded the Governors? Recital Prize for Woodwind, as well as being awarded twice the Governors? Recital Prize for Chamber Music. He attained first prize at the 2018 RCS Woodwind Concerto Competition, and was invited to perform Edward Gregson?s saxophone concerto with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Perth Concert Hall. Richard also enjoyed success in academia; he was awarded the Sibelius Essay Prize in 2017 for research on transcribing the music of Prokofiev, and was invited to present his research into transcribing Bach for the saxophone at the conservatoire?s 2019 Approaches to Critical Artistry conference.

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Born in Bucharest, the multi-award-winning pianist Mihai Ritivoiu won the Dinu Lipatti National Competition in 2010 and was laureate of numerous international competitions including the George Enescu Competition in 2011 (Bucharest), Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artist Competition in 2014 and Teresa Llacuna Competition in 2015 (Valence). Most recently, he was awarded the Gold Medal at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Intercollegiate Competition.

Mihai leads an international career performing solo and chamber music recitals in Europe and Asia. He also played concertos with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and the MDR Leipzig Radio Orchestra. Regularly invited to play on BBC Radio 3?s programme ?In Tune?, his performances have been broadcast on Radio Romania Muzical, Radio Television Suisse and Medici TV. His debut album released under the label Genuin with solo works by Franck, Enescu and Liszt has been praised as ?beautifully recorded, handsomely played - a solo recital to cherish? (The Arts Desk).

Graduated with the highest distinction from the National University of Music in Bucharest and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, Mihai studied with Professors Viniciu Moroianu and Joan Havill. He also had the privilege to take part in masterclasses led by Dimitri Bashkirov, Dominique Merlet, Emmanuel Ax, Richard Goode and is mentored by Valentin Gheorghiu.

Mihai is a City Music Foundation artist and a Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He has received generous support from the Liliana and Peter Ilica Foundation for the Endowment of the Arts, Erbiceanu Cultural Foundation and Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation.


** Social distancing measures at this event will meet government guidelines including the wearing of face coverings at all times **

Description

49 Station Road,

Barnes,

Greater London,

England,

SW13 0LF.