Valerio Lisci, Aurélien Pascal, Kevin Spagnolo

Sonorities of Late Romanticism

Valerio Lisci, Aurélien Pascal and Kevin Spagnolo dedicate their residency to studying a unique and original repertoire, in which the combination of the timbres of three instruments gives rise to an original sound blend, enhanced by performances of the highest technical and expressive level. The trio pushes their instruments to the extreme, overcoming every technical limit and combining absolute instrumental mastery with specific effects, such as prés de la table or slapping and the use of percussion.

The program is a journey through the great European tradition of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with transcriptions by Lisci exploring the rich orchestral sounds and evocative melodies typical of late Romanticism. From Debussy to Fauré, from Strauss to Rachmaninov, each piece is presented in a new light, reinterpreting its spirit through the potential of a new chamber music ensemble. The highlight of the program is R. Strauss's “Dance of the Seven Veils,” in which the virtuosity of the performers is pushed to its limits: the rhythmic component is extremely complex and involves the use of rattles for the clarinet, cymbals for the harp and a bass drum for the cello.

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Valerio Lisci, Aurélien Pascal, Kevin Spagnolo

Valerio Lisci

Valerio Lisci has made a name for himself in major international competitions, winning First Prize at the Suoni d'Arpa International Competition in Saluzzo in 2016, at the Korea International Harp Competition in Seoul in 2018, and at the Reinl Stiftung Competition in Vienna. In 2019, he won the silver medal and a Special Prize for his interpretation of a contemporary piece at the 11th USA International Harp Competition. From 2022 to 2023, Valerio held the position of Principal Harp at the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva, performing in major European concert halls under the baton of conductors such as Daniele Gatti, Daniel Harding, Simone Young, and Kent Nagano. He is dedicated to composition and transcription for harp and has given masterclasses in Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. Lisci graduated from the Turin Conservatory with Gabriella Bosio and from the Haute École de Musique in Lausanne with Letizia Belmondo.

Aurélien Pascal

A cellist of extraordinary virtuosity, Aurélien Pascal is a laureate of prestigious international competitions, including 2nd Prize at the International Paulo Competition (2013), 1st Prize, the Audience Prize, and the Best Prize for the Interpretation of Toch's Concerto at the Feuermann Competition (2014), as well as being the youngest finalist at the Queen Elisabeth Competition (2017). Named Révélation Instrumentale at the Victoires de la Musique (2023), he has performed with orchestras around the world, including the Orchestre de Paris, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Taipei National Symphony, and Nuremberg Symphony, conducted by maestros such as András Schiff, Vladimir Fedoseyev, and Christoph Poppen. In chamber music, he has collaborated with Renaud Capuçon, Alexandre Kantorow, and the Modigliani Quartet, among others. Born in 1994 into a family of musicians, he studied with Philippe Müller at the CNSMDP and perfected his skills with Frans Helmerson and Gary Hoffman at the Kronberg Academy.

Kevin Spagnolo

In 2018, at just 22 years of age, Kevin Spagnolo won First Prize at the Geneva Competition, becoming the youngest clarinetist in history to receive this award. Since then, he has performed as a soloist with prestigious orchestras such as the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonic, the Brussels Philharmonic, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, collaborating with conductors such as Martin Fröst, Michael Collins, and Marc Leroy-Calatayud. In 2021, he released his first CD, Façades, supported by the Geneva Competition and Breguet, featuring works by Weber, Rossini, and Françaix. In the chamber music field, he collaborates with Beatrice Rana, Emmanuel Pahud, and the Guadagnini Quartet. A graduate with honors from the Geneva Conservatory, he is now active as a soloist, teacher, and researcher of new musical expressions.