Education
Nicola Mazzanti graduated in 1982 from the “Luigi Cherubini” Conservatory of Florence after studying with Sergio Giambi.
He later attended courses and masterclasses with important soloists such as Mario Ancillotti, Aurèle Nicolet, Maxence Larrieu, Emmanuel Pahud and James Galway.
A turning point in his education was the meeting with Raymond Guiot at the Italian Flute Academy in Rome, from which he graduated upon completion of a three-year program.
He also attended two seminars on the interpretation of Bach and Telemann held by Barthold Kuijken.
In 1986, Nicola Mazzanti earned a degree with full marks from D.A.M.S. ( University of Arts and Music) with a thesis in Music History.
His cultural curiousity also led him to explore the historical and scientific aspects of his activity: first of all, the relationship between practice and musical performance and the correct use of the body ( he studied the Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques and attended conventions which dealt with common professional illnesses in musicians). He also pursued the study of physics in the flute’s sound production.
Orchestral Experience
Nicola Mazzanti has been the piccolo flute soloist in the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra since 1998; his performance received acknowledgements from conductors such as Mehta, Bychkov, Slatkin, Mata and many others.
In previous years, he played in many important national orchestras: RAI in Milan, ATER in Parma, ADIMOS in Florence, Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia.
A finalist in the European Youth Orchestra (E.C.Y.O.) in 1984, he also played in the Italian Youth Orchestra (O.G.I.)
Between 1992 and 1996, he played as first flute in the Akronos Symphonic Orchestra of Prato.
In 1999, he was invited by Claudio Abbado to play as solo piccolo flute with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in the opera “Falstaff”.
In 2002 he was asked to audition for “solo piccolo flute” in the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Solo Performances and Chamber Music
Nicola Mazzanti performs intensely both as a soloist and with chamber music ensembles in Italy and abroad.
Lately, he has often played music composed by his fellow-citizen Cesare Ciardi and has also performed soundtracks from famous films with the “Nino Rota” trio on an international tour.
In order to diffuse the piccolo flute repertoire, in 2001 he gave a recital for piccolo flute and piano during “Flautissimo”, the Italian flute symposium. In 2002, during “Syrinx day” in Rome, he performed “Onivatto” (for piccolo flute and piano) by Raymond Guiot, an italian première.
Nicola Mazzanti has also been invited to perform at the Vienna Flute Festival for the year 2003. On this occasion, he'll play "Il labirinto dell'anima" for piccolo and orchestra of Raffaele Bellafronte, a world premiére.
Teaching Experience
Nicola Mazzanti teaches both flute and piccolo.
Since 1982, he has taught at the “G.Verdi” music school in Prato.
Between 1995 and 2001, he also taught at the “Teodulo Mabellini” school of Pistoia.
He has also held three flute courses for the “Harmonia” association in Florence as well as a piccolo course for the “G. Verdi” school of Prato.
Since 2001, he has held annual courses in piccolo flute at the “Esperienze Musicali” association based in Rovigo and at the Italian Flute Academy in Rome, where he co-operates with both Raymond Guiot and Angelo Persichilli.
In 2002, he was invited to hold masterclassses during both the “Severino Gazzelloni” International Flute Festival in Roccasecca and the “Gazzelloni Days” in Florence.
He also contributes regularly to “Syrinx”, the Italian Flute Academy’s quarterly magazine, with a column on the piccolo flute, its technique and repertoire.
Marhaba is an Arabic word used in the Middle East as a greeting (in English Hello).
The origin of the word comes from Aramaic, the old Syrian language of Jesus Christ.
It is a combination of two words: MAR + HABA
MAR, meaning God, Lord or Master.
HABA, meaning Love.
So, Marhaba means "God is Love".
The following is the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic, recited by Majida El-Roumi:
Marhaba Nicola
May you celebrate the love of God deep within your heart as Jesus brings new meaning to life... Joy, Hope, Peace... because His love is eternal.
May His eternal love shine upon you always!
Nabeel
This Syrian village, Saidnaya, where houses are built around a rock with a very old convent at the top, is considered a place for religious pilgrimage.
A steep climb is the only way up to the convent, which is said to date back to the Emperor Justinian.
Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to Justinian and asked him to found the convent.
After entering through a maze of passages, you finally reach the Chapel of the Virgin. The walls are covered with beautiful icons including one said to have been painted by St. Luke.
This chapel was very famous to Christians and at one point was the second Christian place of pilgrimage after Jerusalem, the crusaders called it "Notre Dame de Sardeneye".
Greetings and love from Syria
Nabeel
Thank you Nicola for including me among your friends.
I greatly admire all the interesting and amazing talents you have
and am so honored by this friendship with you.
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