Flutists William Bennett and Joel Tse and pianist Frances Renzi
March 4, 2005
William Bennett, flute
One of the foremost musical artists performing today William Bennett has raised the profile of the flute to that of an instrument of subtle tonal colours, dynamics and expression and may well be considered to be the natural heir to the legacy of his great inspiration, mentor and teacher - Marcel Moyse.
Having studied in London with Geoffrey Gilbert and in Paris with Jean-Pierre Rampal, William Bennett's career followed the path typical of many woodwind players, before becoming established as one of the most eminent and distinguished musicians on the contemporary concert stage. He has held principal flute positions with the BBC Northern Orchestra in Manchester and, on returning to London, held similar appointments with the Sadlers Wells Opera Company, London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the English Chamber Orchestra - a position he currently retains.
The Masterclasses of Marcel Moyse in Switzerland and England in the late 60s and early 70s provided extra stimulus and inspiration so that, in tandem with his orchestral career, William Bennett's burgeoning career developed as an international soloist and major recording artist.
Professorships at the Musik Hochschule, Freiburg and the Royal Academy of Music, London and Masterclasses throughout the world have established William Bennett as one of the foremost teachers of the age. Continuing and developing the imaginative teaching of Marcel Moyse, William Bennett brings his own articulate and cogent reasoning together with his consummate artistry and musical integrity to the Masterclass situation and his own International Summer School attracts students worldwide. He plays a flute from the atelier of the Stradivari of flutemakers - Louis Lot c.1878.
In January 1995 the Queen presented William Bennett with the Order of the British Empire for his services to music.
Joel Tse, flute
Joel Tse joined The Toledo Symphony in 1998 as principal flute, after three years in that position with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL. He has performed as guest Principal Flute with the English Chamber Orchestra, and held positions in the Erie Philharmonic, and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. Joel has made chamber music appearances throughout Europe, Russia, South America, Greece, Turkey and Israel.
His family came to the United States from Hong Kong when he was a child, and he grew up in Phoenix, AZ. Joel received a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, a Master’s degree from Northwestern University, and a Performance Diploma from the Royal Academy of Music in London. His teachers include Bonita Boyd, Walfrid Kujula, Jeffrey Khaner and William Bennett and his recordings include the New World Symphony, American-Soviet Youth Orchestra, and the Eastman Philharmonia and Wind Ensemble. Joel plays on a French flute made by Louis Lot, #2770, circa 1880. This past summer, Joel performed with the Pacific Music Festival’s 10th year anniversary orchestra at the invitation of Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor. Recently, he received a grant from the Mellon Foundation to present local recitals that demonstrate the influence of the French flute on the modern instrument.
Away from the flute, he enjoys cooking, tennis, and making pottery and playing with his Rottweiler Callie.
Frances Renzi, piano
“Frances Renzi has a way of making music come alive” wrote Boris Nelson of the Toledo Blade. Whether in recital, as orchestral soloist, or as chamber musician, her artistry remains apparent. She consistently enthralls critics and audiences alike.
Pianist Frances Renzi has appeared as soloist with many orchestras including those of Dallas, Houston, Toledo, and the New Hampshire Music Festival. She has given recitals in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago, at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and throughout the United States.
An extraordinary chamber player, she frequently collaborates with distinguished artists, and is much in demand as a chamber music performer. She appears regularly as a featured guest artist on the Toledo Symphony Chamber Series and also performs each summer at the New Hampshire Music Festival. She was a founding member of the Toledo Trio at the University of Toledo and performed with them for 27 years.
She has recorded solo and chamber music for Centaur, Educo, Koch International, Musical Heritage Society, Azica, and Decca/Argo. Her recording of 20th century etudes by American composers Ned Rorem, Vincent Persichetti, and George Perle received enthusiastic reviews. Fanfare Magazine described her playing as "...absolutely superb...crystal-like articulation, impeccable rhythmic precision, unflagging energy, and a truly remarkable understanding of these pieces..." A recent recording of chamber music of Paul Schoenfield was nominated for a Grammy. Her performances as a soloist and chamber musician have been broadcast on radio and television across the nation including a presentation on National Public Radio's Performance Today.
She was a solo pianist for the New York City Ballet performing Stravinsky's Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra and Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes and participated in the Stravinsky Festival at Lincoln Center.
A native of Texas, she received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and her Master’s degree from the Juilliard School where she was a scholarship student of Rosina Lhevinne and Beveridge Webster. An experienced teacher as well as performer, she is Professor Emerita at the University of Toledo. In 2000 she received a commendation from the Ohio Senate honoring her outstanding university career of 27 years. This past season Ms. Renzi performed concerts in Taiwan, Mexico, and throughout the United States.
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