When and how did you first hear about the Luxembourg Philharmonic?
I first heard about the Luxembourg Philharmonic through my colleague Arthur Stockel, who had just won the clarinet position. We were also in the same clarinet class together in Paris. He started in Luxembourg and kept raving about the orchestra. This inspired me to take part in the audition.
What year was that?
That must have been 2018, if I remember correctly. I won the job in June 2021 and started playing in the orchestra in September of the same year.
What was your most emotional moment during your trial year?
There were quite a few. The most formative was probably the first project. It was Igor Stravinsky's Firebird, a work that we had also recorded for a CD with our chief conductor Gustavo Gimeno at the time.
There were a lot of solos on the E-flat clarinet, which was definitely a baptism of fire for me, it really made quite an impression on me. I was nervous during my first week. However, the contact with my colleagues made me less and less nervous. Within a few hours, I felt as if I had been part of the orchestra for years.
Is there a concert which you have particularly fond memories of?
What I remember most is my first concert with the orchestra, when we played The Firebird with Gustavo Gimeno. Performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 was also very special.
What advice would you give to a musician undergoing their trial year?
You should try not to pretend and always be friendly. You should also come to rehearsals prepared and on time. If these things are right, then everything will be fine.
Do you remember which pieces you had to play during the audition final?
Yes, I remember that exactly! There were five of us in the final. We had to play Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 and a few rehearsal passages on the E-flat clarinet.
When I came out of the hall, I just thought «wow» and that I had done my best. I had this feeling where I said to myself «if they want more... then this is not the job for me», but everything went well. Then we waited outside. We all knew each other a bit in the final. When Catherine (Senior Manager Orchestra Personnel & Touring) came in front of us to announce the results, Lorenzo, a fellow candidate, and I had to play again as the decision was very close. Some rehearsal parts had to be played again.
The jury also wanted to hear Daphnis et Chloé by Maurice Ravel, a part on the E-flat clarinet that is very difficult and usually only works well once a day. At that moment, I really had to pull myself together to concentrate properly.
Are there any particular musicians who have inspired you?
Yes, certainly my teacher, Pascal Moraguès. I really like his orchestral playing and especially his warm-heartedness and generosity. I think he has a very special sound that can embrace the whole hall. I was also very inspired by Philippe Berrod. He taught me how to play with ease. Just pick up the clarinet and start playing.
Which parts of the orchestral repertoire do you like the most?
I don't have a specific part, but there are composers that I particularly enjoy playing. When we play symphonies by Mahler, Shostakovich, Strauss (Alpine Symphony) or Stravinsky (Le Sacre du Printemps), it's always very special. That's why I really wanted to become part of the Luxembourg Philharmonic, because we play such a diverse repertoire here.
When did you start making music?
I was 7 when I started. At that time, I was still living with my parents in Sicily. I was actually only 5 when I wanted to join the local music ensemble. But my father said I was too young. When I was 7, I was supposedly sitting in front of the television all day and my father said that was the end of it. Then we went to my first brass band rehearsal, where I started playing the clarinet.
Why did you choose the clarinet?
My father originally wanted me to choose the saxophone. However, I quickly realised that I preferred to go for something else, even though it is a very beautiful instrument in terms of sound. I wanted to learn either the flute or the clarinet and later decided in favour of the clarinet.
Are there any other orchestras apart from the Luxembourg Philharmonic which you particularly like?
I'm very happy here with the Luxembourg Philharmonic - I think we sound very good. I like the energy we exude during the concerts. Apart from the Luxembourg Philharmonic, I've had the opportunity to play with the London Symphony Orchestra. I also love the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
What do you like most about Luxembourg?
I really like nature in Luxembourg! I lived in Zurich for 10 years and I actually find it very similar here. When you move from Paris to Zurich, for example, it's a big change at first. And then when you move to Luxembourg, you find that peace and order again - it gives you a sense of relief.
I also think National Day is great here. Many of my colleagues have told me that this will definitely be one of my best experiences in Luxembourg. You celebrate the night before, which is difficult for me because we play with the orchestra the day after in the morning. Nevertheless, I feel that the evening before is a truly Luxembourgish experience. Apart from that, I've also started to look around other parts of Luxembourg, as I like working with plants. In September, I helped harvest grapes in Ahn. I helped a Luxembourgish winemaker with the grape harvest and wine production. It was very exciting to come into contact with such people.
