IT EN

ABOUT

Artistic curriculum

An Italian-Dutch musician with classical training, he obtained degrees in piano and composition from the "G.Verdi" Conservatory in Milan, and in modern literature from the "Del sacro cuore" Catholic University of Milan. He also holds a double master of arts from the Conservatory of Italian Switzerland and the University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland. Also at the "G.Verdi" Conservatory in Milan he also studied organ, choir conducting and orchestra conducting in depth. He has several other qualifications, including a diploma in soundtrack writing from the "Cinelife" Academy in Milan.

He has participated in numerous piano masterclasses, including those in Portoguaro, San Gemini, Cividale del Friuli, Piacenza where he studied with various teachers including mainly with Maestro Konstantin Bogino.

In his career, gaining vast experience, he has alternated various activities always linked to the world of music: performances, teaching, organization of courses, seminars, direction and musical coordination of vocal and instrumental groups, musical, narrative, poetic and theatrical writing. He has performed in Europe and America as a soloist, in chamber groups or as an orchestra and choir director. For several years he has collaborated with the Centro Studi Arcipelago Musica as an expert in the history of musical instruments and with the Associazione Per Mito Onlus for educational projects.

He has vast experience as a répétiteur and accompanist for singers. For over 25 years he has directed and coordinated polyphonic choirs in northern Italy and has been the principal organist and musical director of parishes and pastoral communities. In 2018 he played in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

He is the president and founder of the association "Il Mulino Musicale", a non-profit association that deals with musical education and event organization. He has taught and teaches in several schools, including the Swiss Music Center in Lugano (SMC), the Centro Studi Musicali della Svizzera italiana (CSM), the center for the development of talent in Lugano (CST) and the Scuola Internazionale Musicale in Milan (SIMM).

He has received several international prizes and awards both as a composer and as a performer. The most recent composition competitions in which he won first prize are the “Malta international composition competition 2023” and the “Rossetti international music competition 2023”. His pieces are performed both in Italy and abroad. His triptych "De animali numerante, volante e pesante" was dedicated to and performed by Elio (Elio e le Storie tese). He is the author of treatises, theatrical texts, educational books and music analysis books.

In 2023 he completed a large oratorio for narrator, soloists, choir and symphony orchestra. He is the author of symphonic, chamber, vocal, instrumental and educational music.

With bass Andrea Mastroni he was a member of the duo Friedrich and later with soprano Marine Guliashvili he formed the duo “Ventimariscelti”, a chamber music group that offers original and multidisciplinary musical programs and projects that span the centuries between opera and lieder and include new music written by Frequin himself. The duo won several competitions in 2023 including the “Gabriel Fauré music world competition”, the “Fanny Mendelssohn international competition" and the “World best musicians competition”. In 2024 the duo was invited to New York for a collaboration with the well-known soprano Carmela Altamura.

He also plays the accordion, the flute, is passionate about chess, cooking and handicrafts with wood and other natural materials.

What do I do

 

In the musical field I consider myself mainly a pianist and composer despite having great experience as a choir director and occasionally an orchestra director. My piano repertoire is mainly classical music and ranges from the 18th century to today. I try to create interesting programs that also include lesser-known songs and my own compositions.

I love linking the writing of lyrics to my compositions by creating literary-musical connections and for this reason I write a lot of music for voice and piano. But by revisiting historical musical forms I also produce instrumental music. I also write on commission and have a certain aptitude for soundtracks and music for the theatre.

In the field of teaching I have decades of experience and I use my possibilities as a composer to write pieces, exercises and arrangements suitable for students.

Repertoir

Something about my teachers

I have met many people throughout my musical life who have been role models for me, even if only for a short period of time. Among these I mention some of the teachers who left a mark on my artistic journey and for whom I have particular and sincere gratitude.

Don Luigi Cerioli, the first in order of time, a non-professional but very professional musician who with loving care taught me the first notes on the piano.

Andrea Rucli, pianist, who guided me towards a professional path through the search for expression and musical freedom.

Carlo Levi Minzi, pianist, who showed me the importance and discipline of technique.

Giovanni Carmassi, pianist, also gave me a literary approach to music, bringing it closer to other artistic fields and forming in me a greater interpretative sensitivity.

Carlo Delli Ponti, pianist, refined intellectual who showed me how a pianist does not have to limit his boundaries to the piano keyboard.

Konstantin Bogino, pianist of great personality, who gave me freedom and depth in the performance.

Elisabetta Brusa, composer, who was able to cultivate harmonious taste and sonic coherence in me.

Mario Garuti, composer, gave me an incentive to dare in research without losing the compositional geometry.

Domenico Zingaro, choral director, provided me with a historical and intellectual approach to choral conducting.

Simone Fermani, conductor, provided me with the foundations for good orchestral direction and taught me the care of expressive gestures.