Guitar Concert 

with 

Sig. Thomas Liauw & Maestro Flavio Cucchi

EAST MEETS WEST

with

Sig. Thomas Liauw & Maestro Flavio Cucchi

(Synopsis)

For the first time - “East Meets West” Duo Guitar Concert was conceptualized last year when Maestro Flavio Cucchi (Italy) and Sig. Thomas Liauw (Singapore) met and to discuss about coming together to perform as duet.  With this, the Duo was formed. The genres of music will range from Classical to Evergreen with composers such as A. Vivaldi, Beetles, Jorge Morel and the list goes on. The Duo first performed in July 2006 in Sorrento, Italy to a standing ovation and recently in March 2023, they came together to play in Florence.

Maestro Flavio Cucchi

"One of the most renowned and admired Italian guitarists" (Il Fronimo), Flavio Cucchi has given hundreds of recitals in more then 30 countries all over the world (Europe, America, Asia and Australia) in addition to participating in radio and TV shows for the some of the biggest world-wide broadcasting corporations (the BBC, RAI, ZDF, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Televisa Mexico, Television Corporation of Singapore, Radio Praga, and others).

Always interested in contemporary music, he is one of the first Italian guitarists to popularize the compositions of Leo Brouwer, who wrote: "Flavio Cucchi's perfect tone and virtuoso approach is serving marvellously to a panorama of my music"

He performed the world premiere of Sestina d'Autunno by Petrassi and many modern masterpieces as Boulez’s Marteau sains maitre (at the Teatro alla Scala, Milano), Henze's “Cimarron” etc..

Many composers have been inspired to write for Flavio including the famous pianist Chick Corea who wrote: "Ever since I first heard Flavio play the guitar I've been a big fan. His playing is simply filled with Beauty..”

The Poet Yusef Komunyakaa (Pulitzer prize 1994), dedicated to him “Ode to the guitar” presented at Genova International Festival of Poetry. He has recorded over 15 CDs and one DVD.

He has been professor at the Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali "Pietro  Mascagni" of Livorno for 30 years and held  also Masterclasses in  USA, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Russia etc. for the most important music societies.

Sig. Thomas Liauw

Thomas Liauw obtained his Master-Of Arts (music) as a research scholar at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He graduated with a Bachelor-Of-Arts (Honours) Degree in music from Kingston University (London), obtained his Fellowship from Victoria College of Music (United Kingdom), Licentiate Diploma in Teaching from the Trinity College of Music (London) and a Music Diploma from the LaSalle College of the Arts (Singapore). His works include arrangements and composition for solo guitar such as “Favorite Collections for Solo Guitar” (Books 1 & 2), “Jingle Bell Rock” (a Christmas Collection) and “Guitars in Harmony” (ensemble pieces).

He successfully completed his first recording in 1990, an album entitled “Time For Romantic Guitar” which turned out to be a sell out. The album was reprint into cds in 2003. His next recording was a classical cd as done in 2003 - “Thomas Liauw plays A. Lauro, F. Terrega, A Barrios, H. Villa-Lobos & F. Martin”. Besides recording Thomas has performed at numerous recitals internationally, in Iceland, Italy and London, Poland, and regionally in Indonesia, Malaysia and also in Singapore. His other achievements include being a prizewinner at the Singapore Guitar Festival, National Music Competition, Golden Kite World Song Festival 1991 when he represented Singapore, as well as other notable classical guitar competitions.

Thomas is also known for imparting his love of the classical guitar. He taught at the local universities, tertiary institutions and guiding budding guitarists for four decades. Thomas has set up many ensembles and under his tutelage many have gone on to win numerous awards and prizes such as International Guitar Festivals, Singapore Guitar Festival and Gold with Honors in Singapore Youth Festival. Besides teaching, he was involved previously in conducting music examinations (Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Yamaha Music School, etc), judging at International Music Competitions (such as The 2^nd Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Guitar Competition, Japan Guitar Concore 06’ in Japan, etc) and creating music awareness (participated in Musical Instrument Festival 2003 in KL). Mr Liauw was also invited to be guest speaker and gave performances at summer camps such as Krzyzowa’s Summer Guitar Camp 03’ in Poland and 2007 IZU International Guitar Festival & Summer School in Japan just to name some. He also gave a 13-part series titled “Strings Attached” which covered guitar history, technique and artistes that was aired over Radio FM 99.5 (Singapore) from October 2002. Following the success of the first series, a second 13-part series was added on guitar music appreciation. In addition, he was feature in many magazines such as Harmony Guitar Magazine (Japan), Gendai Guitar Magazine (Japan), Classical Guitar Magazine (UK) and also in the collection of guitarist around the world – The Classical Guitar – it’s evolution, players and personalities since 1800 (5^th Edition, Ashley Mark Publishing company).

To promote and enhance guitar music in his home country, Singapore, he set up Tomas Music Consultants Pte Ltd in 1994. His music consultancy has organized numerous notable recitals and performances including the famous John Williams & Friends, Manuel Barrueco, Kazuhito Yamashita, David Russell, Paco Pena, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Jorge Morel, Juan Martin, Julian Byzantine, Uto Ughi, I Solisti Veneti, Tango 2000, Flamenco Passion, the Annual International Guitar Festival (Singapore) & Competitions running in 12^th editions. In 2012 he flagged off the first Singapore International Acoustic Guitar Festival in this part of the region and in 2017 he started “Night of Guitars” to give young and budding guitarist a platform to showcase their talents.

He expanded his music business with Tomas Music Centre in 2000, which stocks quality guitars, books and accessories. In addition, Tomas Music School (registered with Ministry of Education, Singapore) was set up in 2013 with the aim of providing quality music education for music enthusiasts and budding musicians.

He also formed Niibori Guitar Singapore in 2005 in partnership with the most important guitar ensemble academy from Japan – Niibori Guitar Academy.

Thomas Liauw was nominated to be the entrepreneur of the year (SOE) in 2008 and in 2015 by SMBA (Small Medium Business Association). He was also Conferred & Knighted in 2014 by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs with “ORDINE DELLA STELLA D’ITALIA” (KNIGHT/STAR OF ITALY). 

Thomas is eclectic in his interpretations of both classical and contemporary music. Not only is he an exponent of the guitar, he is also in demand as a teacher and performer.