Saturday, April 20, 2019

TheTimes.co.uk: Alexis Ffrench: the man with the keys to Piano Chill

Alexis Ffrench


The Times [of London]

If a single person epitomises the new push towards making classical music more diverse, eclectic and unstuffy, it’s Alexis Ffrench. As a pianist and composer he creates tonal music that beguiles newcomers with its gentleness and beauty (“piano chill” is the usual label), yet also has enough half-concealed nods to Chopin, Debussy, Satie and other historical figures to keep connoisseurs interested.

As a broadcaster he’s one of the voices of the new classical music station Scala Radio, and a lively one too. His Sunday afternoon shows have already explored everything from Bartok (“the father of classical sampling”) to “Little Mix’s nod to Fauré”. You’re as likely to hear him revisiting the Beach Boys as Beethoven.

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