Since his first visit to South Africa in October 2012, David Salleras has been collaborating on a project of concerts and recorded albums with Christopher Duigan. The Barcelona-based musician has attracted international attention through his fluency in a variety of musical styles. His innovative compositions, which incorporate traditional flamenco idioms with contemporary and avant-garde performing techniques, are performed by saxophonists worldwide. Duigan, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists. He has performed extensively in South Africa and has a popular following through his innovative Music Revival concerts.
For this concert, the two musicians will perform selections from Salleras’ own solo works and Caprices together with Duigan’s compositions for saxophone and piano from the albums Indigo and Midnight Blue. In addition, they complement this with virtuoso music from their traditional saxophone repertoire by Spanish composer/saxophonist by Pedro Itturalde.
Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists CHRISTOPHER DUIGAN has been recognized as a ‘South African piano icon’ and ‘national musical treasure’ (Classic Feel June 2009). He has performed extensively, maintaining a highly visible career in South Africa over the last 25 year, with all major South African orchestras in a repertoire of more than 25 works for piano and orchestra. In recital he has developed a popular following through his innovative presentation and programming of a broad and eclectic taste in music.
Based in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands he is committed to promoting concert performance, both his own and those of others. He is the director of the widely acclaimed MUSIC REVIVAL which he established in 1997, presenting and playing over 100 concerts annually. Major projects include the Concert Series at the Hilton Arts Festival, the Franschhoek Classic Music Festival, monthly performances across KZN, and regular seasons of concert appearances in the Cape Town, Franschhoek and Gauteng. Christopher Duigan is a Steinway Artist. www.musicrevival.co.za
DAVID SALLERAS completed his studies at the Superior Music Conservatory of Barcelona, with distinction, when only 18 years old. He subsequently won a Spanish government scholarship to continue his studies in Paris, France with Jean-Yves Fourmeau and Nicolas Prost, winning the Gold Medal in their conservatoires. He later distinguished himself, showing an outstanding sense of improvisation, blending classical, contemporary music and traditional Spanish music idioms. His flexibility and knowledge of multiple musical genres, coupled with his unique ideas, has resulted in a highly successful international career. The recipient of numerous international awards, he has given concert performances in Europe, South Africa and South America.
David Salleras is Selmer and Vandoren Artist. His works are published by Edition Dinsic (Barcelona) and Edition Billaudot (Paris) are performed and recorded by saxophonists from around the world. Salleras recently created a new music publisher “Klo” Editions. Since 2008 David Salleras has taught at the National Conservatoire of Girona (Spain) and is also Head of the Department for Wind Instruments.