Composer Alexis Ffrench reveals video for 'Bluebird' - premiere

Something for the weekend

UK contemporary composer Alexis Ffrench has released the beautiful video for his piece "Bluebird", which you can watch first today via The Independent.

Signed to Sony Music, Ffrench began to improvise on the piano aged 4, and went on to win scholarships to study at the renowned Purcell School and the Royal Academy of Music.

Ffrench explains of "Bluebird": "I wanted to write something with a certain immediacy that spoke to people and connected with them, as that’s always at the forefront of my mind. The training for a classical musician is steeped in words and academia but my main aim is always to communicate with people.

"When I produced Bluebird, I had the pleasure of working with the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech Republic and legendary mix-engineer John Bailey (Coldplay, John Legend, Paloma Faith).

"Bluebird, for me, is filled with a variety of influences, from Debussy and Satie, and is an expression of love and hope. It is born out of improvisation. I wanted to write something that expressed a certain innocence and purity. There’s so much trauma around us right now and I wanted to share a moment of calm, beauty and consolation. There isn’t enough of that in the world."

Watch the video below:

Q&A with Alexis Ffrench

What are you listening to at the moment?

Dusk Till Dawn by Zayn ft. Sia - great vocals sung with such intensity and musicality. Also Solamente Tú by Pablo Alborán - a beautiful voice and the song is so well crafted yet so simple.

What are your plans for the rest of 2017?

My main focus is writing my album, which will be released in 2018. I really want to push myself to the limits with this record, and I’m talking to some really exciting artists about collaborations.

Plus, I’m playing at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room on November 20. I can’t wait to perform my new material in a really intimate setting at this world-famous venue.

What was the first gig you ever played and what’s been the best so far?

My first gig was at the tender age of 7 (!) as church organist at the wedding of a cycling adventurer (and his bride) who had just finished pedalling around the world. I remember being completely in awe of his achievement.

One of my favourite gigs so far was Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by the great Neil Page at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. It’s known for being a tricky piece, and the audience were incredibly warm and receptive.

Alexis Ffrench performs at the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room on 20 November - tickets are available here