Alex Raineri

15 year old Alex Raineri is a Brisbane based pianist and composer. He currently studies piano performance with Leah Horwitz, OAM at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and also studies composition with Gerard Brophy. In November 2008, Alex was awarded a mark of 90% in his 'Trinity College of London' LTCL exam earning him a Distinction.
In June 2008, Alex performed Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the Queensland Orchestra in the keyboard finals of the 'ABC Symphony Australia Young Performers Awards' under the baton of Pietari Inkinen.
Alex has recently returned from a tour of Taipei and Chai-Yi, performing as a guest artist with the Brisbane Symphonic Band as part of the Chai-Yi International Band Festival. The Brisbane Symphonic Band, conducted by Stephanie Smith performed three concerts one of which was the New Years Eve closing concert for the Chai-Yi International Band Festival.
Selected internationally in 2007, Alex was the first young artist to undertake a tour of Australia and the United States of America with the “Castles and Cathedrals” program. "Castles and Cathedrals" was launched in Melbourne at St Michaels Church in October 2007 and then continued with performances in various cities in California. His performance in Sacramento, California included the world premiere of his compositions, Shadow Sketches, dedicated to children worldwide who are either suffering themselves from debilitating diseases such as tuberculosis, polio and AIDS, or who have lost parents to such diseases. While on tour Alex was invited to give a demonstration of his compositions at Chico State University where Terry Riley and Gil Sullivan also gave lectures/masterclasses.
Alex has won many prestigious awards, bursaries and scholarships for both performance and composition. In February 2007, Alex’s composition 'Suite Arabesque' advanced to the second round of the International Composition Competition in Nashville USA. As part of the semi-finals of the 2MBS Young Performers Awards, Alex performed am hour long recital on air in February 2009, the finalists will be announced in June 2009. Alex has also won first places in events such as the Queensland Piano Competition, the Sydney Performing Arts Challenge, the Queensland Youth Music Awards, the MTAQ Piano Competition, the Keys National Festival of Australian Music, the Gold Coast Composers Competition and has won championships and bursaries at the Brisbane, Redlands, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Silkstone, Enoggera and Queensland Eisteddfods. Alex recently received the most promising pianist award at the 2008 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition.
Alex was the subject of a television feature story on Australian ABC television’s The 7.30 Report (2006), ABC's Sunday Arts (2007/8) and the Channel 10, 5:00pm news (2008). Alex also appeared on the Channel 10, 9AM Show with David and Kim on the 18th October 2007 and then again on the 23rd January 2008. On the 23rd of November 2008, a feature story on Alex was shown on Channel 9's 'Inside Queensland'. Alex’s music is being played worldwide, and he has been interviewed by a number of radio stations including California's Capital Public Radio with Jeffrey Callison, Australia's ABC, Sydney’s SBS and 2MBS, Melbourne's Radio 3AW, 3MBS and Radio Southern, Brisbane’s 4EB and 4MBS, Maryborough’s A2Z FM, Redland's Shire Bay FM and Warwick’s Rainbow FM. In particular, Sydney’s 2MBS featured Alex as part of its Emerging Young Artists series, with a 15 minute segment on 2 June 2007, and an hour long segment on 10th October 2007. Alex has also been featured in Australia's 'The Age', Australia's 'The Courier Mail', Brisbane's 'The Brisbane News', Brisbane's 'Rintocchi', Paradise's 'The Paradise Post', Sydney's 'Drum', Sydney's 'Street Beat', Brisbane's 'The Bulletin' and Kenmore's 'The Westside News'.
Alex has recorded a CD, When Poets Dreamed, which comprises romantic classical pieces as well as a number of his own compositions and Alex has also performed and recorded with Australian vocalists Leah Purcell, Evelyn Duprai, Isis Ashton and Jodi Phillis. Currently Alex is compiling a new CD of his own compositions, entitled 'Shadow Sketches' which is due to be finished by late 2009.
Alex also enjoys playing in 'Al-Ol-Ed' a piano trio with Eddy Chen (violin) and Oliver Scott (cello), clarinet with the St Lucia Orchestra and has also been involved with the Queensland Youth Orchestras Wind Ensemble (clarinet and piano) and the Tagiev String Orchestra (piano) which toured Germany in 2005. Both of these ensembles performed at the 2007 Sydney International Music Festival in the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Town Hall and the Darling Harbour Amphitheater. Alex attended the 2008 'Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School' where his composition 'Ascolia' was written under the guidance of Stuart Greenbaum. 'Ascolia' was performed at the music school by Leesa Dean, Louise King ad the composer at the piano.
Alex performance experience includes performing with/for - the Chai-Yi International Band Festival, ABC National Radio, 2MBS Radio Station, the Queensland Orchestra, Theme and Variations Steinway Showroom, 'Castles and Cathedrals', the St Lucia Orchestra, concerts at Twilight, the Brisbane Symphonic Band, 3MBS Radio Station, the Sinfonia of St Andrews, the Queensland Youth Orchestras Wind Ensemble, Italian Week, the Cancer Council of Queensland, St Michaels Church, St Mary's Church, the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra, 'Classic Clarinets', the Queensland Philanthropic Orchestra, the Bach Society Chior, SWARA, Western Music Circle, the Norton St Fiesta and many more. On October 11th 2008, Alex performed at the ‘Build a House in Nepal’ concert where also performing was - Slava Grigorian, William Barton, Maggie Noonan, the Brisbane Chamber Choir and the Southern Cross Soloists.
Compositions
• Empty Room Illuminations (2009) for Clarinet in A, Vibraphone, and Celeste
• Lies (2009) for Tenor, Violin and Piano
• Ocean (2008) for orchestra
• Stone Butterflies (2008) for alto, clarinet/saxophone, cello and piano
• Ascolia (2008) for bassoon, cello and piano, premiered at the Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music Camp, Rockhampton, performed by Leesa Dean, Louise King and Alex Raineri
• Strangers - the Vexatious Dr. Vertigo (2008) for viola and orchestra
• Allison Byrd (2008) for narrator and piano
• Shadow Sketches (2007) for piano solo, premiered at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento, USA, performed by Alex Raineri
• Ripples (2007) for clarinet ensemble
• Equinox (2006/7) for percussion ensemble, premiered at Clayfield College, performed by the Clayfield College Senior Percussion Ensemble
• Elegy and Resurrection (2006) for two violas and bassoon, premiered at Theme and Variations Steinway Showroom, performed by Finn Gilfedder-Cooney, Cameron Campbell and Aimee Nisbett
• Dinner at Table 7 (2006) for piano solo, premiered at the Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Griffith University, performed by Alex Raineri
• Suite Arabesque (2005/6) for clarinet and piano, premiered at the Douglas Design Center, Milton, performed by Graham Evans and Alex Raineri
Performance Profile
• Lunchtime Concert at St Andrews Church, Brisbane (June, 2009)
• Performance of Gershwins 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the St Lucia Orchestra, 'Life is Great in the Sunshine State' celebrating Queensland's 150th birthday, Mt Mee, Brisbane (June, 2009)
• Performance at 'Youngstar' presentation, Hilton Hotel, Brisbane (June, 2009)
• Performance of Gershwins 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the St Lucia Orchestra, 'Life is Great in the Sunshine State' celebrating Queensland's 150th birthday, Schonnell Theatre, Brisbane (May, 2009)
• Guest Solo Performance at 2009 Italian Week, and also performance 'tribute to Puccini' with Raffaele Pierno and Dominique Pfegan, Reddacliff Place, Brisbane (May, 2009)
• Performance of Rhapsody in Blue and I Got Rhythm with the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra in their 'All That Jazz' concert, Old Museum, Bowen Hills (May, 2009)
• Concerts at Twilight, Chamber Music Concert. Performance with 'Al-Ol-Ed' of Dvorak's 'Dumky' Trio, Old Museum, Bowen Hills (April, 2009)
• Tuesday Lunchtime Concert, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Brisbane (April, 2009)
• Western Music Circle concert, with 'Al-Ol-Ed' and with Graham Evans, Pullenvale, Brisbane (April, 2009)
• Tuesday Lunchtime Concert, Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, Brisbane (March, 2009)
• An hour long recital on Sydney's 2MBS as part of the semi-finals of the 2MBS Young Performers Award (finalists announced June 2009), 2MBS Radio Station, Sydney (February, 2009)
• Performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and other solo works with the Brisbane Symphonic Band, Taipei American School, Taipei (January, 2009)
• Performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and other solo works with the Brisbane Symphonic Band as part of the New Years Eve closing concert of the Chai-Yi International Band Festival, Zhong Zheng Park, Chai-Yi (January, 2009)
• Performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and other solo works with the Brisbane Symphonic Band as part of the Chai-Yi International Band Festival, Chai-Yi (December, 2008)
• Masterclass with Cyprien Katsaris, Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Southbank, Brisbane (November, 2008)
• Performance at the Brisbane School of Distance Education's Awards Day, Garden City Christian Church Auditorium, (November, 2008)
• Lunchtime concert at in the Ithaca Auditorium, Brisbane City Hall, (November, 2008)
• Performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and other works with the Brisbane Symphonic Band at their Farewell Concert before heading off to Taiwan in December 2008, Gardens Theatre QUT, (November, 2008)
• Solo performance at the 'Classic Clarinets' concert, St Lukes Church, (October, 2008)
• Performance with the Queensland Philanthropic Orchestra, Conservatorium Theatre, (October, 2008)
• Solo performance in the Queen St Mall in a concert for the prize winners of the Queensland Piano Competition, Queen St Mall (October, 2008)
• Solo performance at 'Build a House in Nepal' concert, also performing was the Southern Cross Soloists, Slava Grigorian, William Barton, Maggie Noonan and the Brisbane Chamber Choir, Morris Hall, Churchie (October, 2008)
• Solo performance at AVEO in a concert for the prize winners of the Queensland Piano Competition, AVEO Retirement Village (October, 2008)
• Solo Performance at Jagera Hall, for the SWARA Retirement Village, Brisbane State High School (September, 2008)
• Solo performance at the Spring Music Gala, to raise funds for SPACE, Kenmore State High School Performance Auditorium (September, 2008)
• Premiere performance of 'Equinox' for percussion ensemble by the Clayfield College Senior percussion ensemble, Clayfield College (August, 2008)
• Guest Performance with the St Lucia Orchestra in their 'Fly me to the Moon' concert, Kedron Wavell Services Club (August, 2008)
• Presentation of compositions at Moreton Bay College (August, 2008)
• Premiere performance of 'Ascolia' for bassoon, cello and piano at the Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School - performed by Leesa Dean, Louise King and Alex Raineri, Rockhampton Girls Grammar School (July, 2008)
• Masterclass with Boris Berman, ABC Studios, Southbank, Brisbane (June, 2008)
• Performance of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the Queensland Orchestra in the Semi-Finals of the ABC Symphony Australia, Young Performers Awards, Conservatorium Theatre, Griffith University, Southbank, Brisbane (June, 2008)
• Guest Performance at 2008 Italian Week, also performing was Anna-Maria La Spina, Opera Queensland, Peter and Georgia Cupples, Enza Pantano and Rosario La-Spina, Suncorp Piazza, Southbank, Brisbane (June, 2008)
• Europe Day function, Parliament House, Brisbane (May, 2008)
• Cancer Council of Queensland, fund raising morning tea, The Old Courthouse, Redlands, Qld (May, 2008)
• Redlands Eisteddfod Gala Concert, The Old Court House, Redlands, Qld (April 2008)
• Out of Australia recital for the "Castles and Cathedrals" concert tour program with pianist Gil Sullivan, Paradise SDA Church, Paradise (November, 2007)
• Out of Australia recital for the "Castles and Cathedrals" concert tour program with pianist Gil Sullivan, St John's the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Chico (November, 2007)
• Out of Australia solo recital for the "Castles and Cathedrals" concert tour program, Paradise Adventist Academy, Paradise (November, 2007)
• Invitation to give a half and hour presentation/lecture of my compositions, at Chico State University. Also giving presentations were Terry Riley and Gil Sullivan, Chico State University, Chico (November, 2007)
• Out of Australia recital for the "Castles and Cathedrals" concert tour program with pianist Gil Sullivan, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento (November, 2007)
• Solo Recital at St Michaels Church as part of the Virtuoso 2 series and the Castles and Cathedrals Concert Tour series, St Michaels Church, Melbourne (October, 2007)
• Invitation to perform a solo recital at Theme and Variations Piano Showroom showcasing their Steinway & Sons Pianos, Theme and Variations Piano Showroom, Newstead, Brisbane (October 14th, 2007)
• Invitation to perform a solo recital at Theme and Variations Piano Showroom showcasing their Steinway & Sons Pianos, Theme and Variations Piano Showroom, Newstead, Brisbane (October 13th, 2007)
• Featured Soloist with the Queensland Clarinet Chior, "Classic Clarinets", conducted by Graham Evans, St Luke's Catholic Church, Brisbane (October, 2007)
• One hour recital for Sydney Radio Station 2MBS Emerging Young Artist programme (aired October, 2007)
• Guest performance as an Emerging Young Artist at the St Mary’s Spring Pianofest, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Brisbane (September, 2007)
• Featured Guest Artist at the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra’s Concert “Classic KGWO”, Old Museum, Brisbane (August 2007)
• Featured Artist in a performance of Bach’s Piano Concerto in D minor with the Sinfonia of St Andrew’s for their Baroque Concert “Bach comes to Town”, St Andrew’s Catholic Church, Brisbane (July 2007)
• Performance for Sydney Radio Station 2MBS in their Even Younger Performers program (aired June, 2007)
• Performances with the Tagiev Chamber Orchestra and the Queensland Youth Orchestras Wind Ensemble at the Sydney International Music Festival, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, Darling Harbour Amphitheatre (June 2007)
• Guest performance at the “Arts of the World” Multicultural Concert, Brisbane Town Hall (June, 2007)
• Tagiev Chamber Orchestra Fundraiser Concert, Brookfield State School Hall, Brisbane (April 2007)
• Concert with Bach Society Choir, Coffs Harbour, NSW (April, 2007)
• Concert with Bach Society Choir, Murwillumbah, NSW (April, 2007)
• Easter Concert, Swara Retirement Village, Brisbane (April 2007)
• Rainbow Fm’s Youth Presentation, Senior Citizens Hall, Warwick, Qld (April 2007)
• Soloists of Ensemble Tagiev and Bach Street Quartet, Oasis Retirement Village, Sunshine Coast, Qld (March 2007)
• Alex Raineri Piano Recital, Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Qld Conservatorium of Music, Southbank, Brisbane (November 2006)
• Redlands Eisteddfod Gala Concert, The Old Court House, Redlands, Qld (October 2006)
• Sunwater and Stanwell Winter Music School Finale Gala Concert, Rockhampton, Qld (July 2006)
• Invitation to perform piano solos and compositions for piano & clarinet Suite Arabesque at the opening of an Art Exhibition held at the Douglas Design Centre, Milton, Brisbane (May 2006)
• Guest appearance with the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra, Brisbane (May 2006)
• Con Spirito Lunchtime Recital, St Andrew’s Catholic Church, Brisbane (April 2006)
• Performance in the Norton Street Fiesta, Sydney (April 2006)
• Performance at the Ryde/Eastwood Leagues Club as past of the Norton Street Fiesta, Sydney (April 2006)
• Guest appearance with Graham Evans’ Clarinet Choir ‘Classic Clarinets’ Christmas Concert (December 2005)