In the 47th of a series of articles, David Bird discusses the work of Redbridge Music Society and introduces clarinettist Matthew Scott and pianist Christine Zerafa, who will perform in Wanstead this month
An essential aim of Redbridge Music Society is to promote new generations of young musicians and, more recently, to raise public awareness and understanding of the issues facing disabled musicians. In Wanstead this month, award-winning musicians Matthew Scott and Christine Zerafa will perform music by Clara Schumann, Poulenc, Saint-Saens and others – music ranging from lyrical and romantic to energetic and jazzy!
British clarinettist Matthew Scott studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was awarded BMus (Hons), MA (Dist) and DipRAM followed by a Chamber Fellowship. He performs throughout the UK and internationally as a freelance soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Promoted as a young artist by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Recital Scheme and Park Lane Group, he is now a regular Selected Artist for Making Music’s Concert Promoter’s Group and, in 2019, made his Wigmore Hall debut with duo partner Christine Zerafa. He is the founder and director of the award-winning Ensemble Mirage, a flexible chamber group which promotes an exciting range of mixed wind-string-piano chamber music.
Matthew has been a finalist and prizewinner in a number of international Young Musicians competitions. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and OCD, he believes and actively demonstrates that this need not be a bar to achieving a successful career in music. He often performs in Charles Hazlewood’s Paraorchestra (a collective of disabled and non-disabled musicians).
Maltese pianist Christine Zerafa has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in many major venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall. She has performed live on BBC Radio 3 and has been a recipient of many awards, including the Schumann Lieder accompaniment prize, the Bice Mizzi National Competition prize and the RAM Scott Huxley prize for piano accompaniment. She was twice selected as a Park Lane Group Artist and was also an award-winner on the Tunnell Trust Artist Chamber Music Scheme.
Christine has Master of Music degrees in solo performance and piano accompaniment. She completed her PhD at the Royal Academy of Music focusing on the role of the pianist in the art of song and duo chamber music. She currently enjoys a busy schedule as a concert pianist, researcher and educator, and was recently made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of her significant contribution to the field.
Please come along to hear and support these two outstanding young musicians.
The recital will take place at Wanstead Library on 14 October from 8pm (tickets on the door; visitors: £12; members: £9). Call 07380 606 767. Redbridge Music Society is affiliated to Making Music.
