MEDIA RELEASE: French Pianist, Jean-Paul Sévilla, in residence for the 2007 Festival of Accompanists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
French pianist, Jean-Paul Sévilla is visiting Adelaide as the official pianist in residence for the Accompanists’ Guild’s 2007 Festival of Accompanists.

Sévilla is one of the world’s finest pianists, both as a soloist and a chamber musician. Berlin’s Die Neue Zeitung wrote of him “The blood of the true virtuoso runs through his veins, propelled by technique and temperament.” and New York’s New York Times wrote, “ Sévilla seemed to have everything – from technique to temperament – that would go into the making of a musical interpreter of the first rank…”

As a teacher he is equally distinguished. What better endorsement could he receive than the endorsement of one of the current stars of the keyboard firmament – Angela Hewitt – who said … “I consider it one of the most fortunate things in my life that Jean-Paul Sévilla came to teach in Ottawa…….He was a true “presence” in his students’ lives…”

The Accompanists’ Guild was quick to seize the opportunity to invite Jean-Paul to Adelaide when it learned that the 2007 Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference had invited him to Canberra. The Guild is joined by Recitals Australia and the Elder Conservatorium in making Jean-Paul’s visit possible. There is also support from Alliance Française and the Cornell Chapter of the Alumni of the University of Adelaide.

During his five short days in Adelaide, Sévilla will perform a recital with the violinist Terence Tam, Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, conduct two master-classes, lead the jury in the 2007 Geoffrey Parsons Award and perform a solo recital for Recitals Australia.

Accompanists’ Guild Secretary and Founder, Diana Harris says, “We are incredibly fortunate that Sévilla is able to come to Adelaide and share his expertise with our members and emerging accompanists. It is rare that we can bring a musician of this calibre to Adelaide. In this respect we are indebted to Allans Music for their support. ”

There is quite a Canadian connection in Jean Paul’s residency. The brilliant Terence Tam is Canadian and has played violin and piano since childhood. His tertiary studies included a double major in both instruments. Jean-Paul is also a Canadian citizen. It is not so surprising that Terence once played piano in a Sévilla master class. Now they will meet again in concert in far off Adelaide.

Join the Guild in making this fine musician welcome to Adelaide. If past residencies are anything to go by, this is going to be one very amazing week!

ENDS

For further information, recordings, pics & interviews, please contact: Christopher Wainwright, Publicist 0438 829 728, e-mail:cmwain@gmail.com

To download a brochure detailing Mr Sevilla’s engangements, click here