Arts Global

Born in 1980 in Geneva, Gregorio Zanon started studying composition in 1997 with Jean Balissat. In 2000 his first commission led to the successful premiere of an orchestral work, Etoiles, in the concert hall of the Geneva Conservatoire. In 2001, collaboration with the Terpsycordes Quartet (winners of the 2000 Geneva International Music Competition) led to the composition of his String Quartet No.1, premiered in the Villevieille festival. Since then, this work has been sponsored by Pro-Helvetia and has consequently toured in such European cultural capitals as Paris, Milan, and Venice.

Subsequent commissions have included the String Quartet No.2, entitled Légende à Quatre, first performed at the Geneva contemporary music festival Archipel with performances in Bucharest (June 2006) and Basel (2007). Further commissions are the Concerto Grosso for Piano and String Orchestra, first performed by The London Strings in April 2005; Romanèche Rhapsodiea concerto for cello and strings written for Mark Drobinsky premiered in Geneva in March 2006 and was also performed in France and Tatarstan; and City Dreams 17 for jazz soprano and ensemble, commissioned by Sounds Underground (London) with its first performance in May 2006. In January 2007, the Swiss label Claves Records released Gregorio Zanon's first CD, an album of his chamber music performed by the Terpsycordes Quartet, Mark Drobinsky, Xavier Dami (Geneva Opera's pianist) and Jocelyne Rudasigwa. From 2001 to 2004 he studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Dominic Muldowney, obtaining a degree in composition. His graduation portfolio included a commission from The London Strings, Allegro Esaltato, which was awarded the Arthur Huttinson Prize.

For additional information, please visit Mr Zanon's personal website, www.gregoriozanon.com.

This music reminds me of the youthful works of Britten and Tippett, overflowing as it is with ideas and abundant creative energy. (...) Claves, meanwhile, has made a considerable investment, but it pays off. Performances are skillful and heartfelt -- you can sense that these musicians believe in this work -- and the sound quality is excellent. I have no doubt we'll be hearing from Zanon anon, but whatever the future brings, there is more on display here than mere potential.

Phillip Scott, Fanfare Magazine (U.S.), 15 October 2007

Zanon has been very well served by Claves and by his eloquent interpreters. His music is strong on vitality and expressive warmth -- no chill winds here.

Jonathan Woolf, MusicWebInternational, February 2007

(Photograph by Claudia Kopitz)