Multi-Grammy Award Nominee Violinist Philippe Quint
Releases his first music video “Valse Triste” featuring the
luminous Christine Rocas of The Joffrey Ballet
Watch: http://bit.ly/WatchValseTriste
Directed by Tim Whalen and choreographed by Caitlin Meighan
Quint’s recording of “Valse Triste” is available now from CDBaby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/philippequint
February 15, 2016 – Chicago-based Big Foot Media (www.bigfootcreates.com) released a new music video today titled “Valse Triste,” starring violinist Philippe Quint and The Joffrey Ballet’s Christine Rocas. Set to a nearly forgotten Romantic gem, “Valse Triste” by Hungarian violinist and composer Ferenc von Vecsey, the video was directed by Tim Whalen, choreographed by Caitlin Meighan, written by Philippe Quint and co-produced by Big Foot Media and Philippe Quint.
This is the first music video for Philippe Quint who appears regularly with major orchestras around the world, has received four Grammy Award nominations for two of his fifteen critically acclaimed commercial recordings, starred in the feature film “Downtown Express,” and runs his own Tango band called the Quint Quintet.
Of this project, Quint says, “It’s always been my dream to combine music, dance and film. A few years ago I came across this piece, ‘Valse Triste.’ I instantly fell in love with the music and could not stop listening to this beautiful nostalgic waltz for months. However, it was not until I saw Christine Rocas perform at The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago when her mesmerizing dancing merged with the waltz in my mind, and I realized that I had to write a story and find a way to make this short film. I am extremely grateful to Mr. Tim Whalen and Big Foot Media for taking on this project and creating such beautiful cinematography around it. I also want to express special thanks to The Stradivari Society of Chicago for the loan of the magnificent 1738 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Sennhauser’ violin featured in the video and on the soundtrack.”
About Philippe Quint, Violinist (www.philippequint.com):
Lauded by The Daily Telegraph (UK) for his “searingly poetic lyricism,” violinist Philippe Quint is carving an unconventional path with his impassioned musical desire for reimagining traditional works, rediscovering neglected repertoire, and commissioning works by contemporary composers. Whether with his Tango band the Quint Quintet or his most recent journey performing with a jazz trio, his dedication to exploring different styles and genres, combined with an award-winning discography, has solidified him as one of the foremost violinists of today. Receiving several Grammy nominations for his two albums of Korngold and William Schuman Concertos, Quint is in constant demand worldwide, appearing with major orchestras at venues ranging from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig to Carnegie Hall in New York while also becoming the first classical musician to land a leading role in a major independent feature film, Downtown Express, which was released in 2010.
Philippe Quint plays the magnificent 1738 “Sennhauser” Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù violin on loan to him through the generous efforts of The Stradivari Society® of Chicago.
Highlights of his 2015-2016 season include debuts with Colorado Symphony led by Andrew Litton, North Carolina Symphony performing and recording the Brahms Double and Beethoven Triple Concertos, and at the Teatro Real in Madrid, return performances with the Kansas City and Seattle Symphonies and at the Lucerne Symphony’s “Russian Festival” with pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin, among others. At the invitation of Maestro Vladimir Spivakov, Quint will make appearances at the opening of the Colmar Festival in France with Tugan Sokhiev and the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse in a performance of the Korngold Violin Concerto as well as the opening of the Mary B. Galvin’s new hall in Chicago hosted by soprano Renée Fleming.
About Christine Rocas, Dancer:
Christine Rocas joined The Joffrey Ballet in August 2005 after dancing with Ballet Manila in the Philippines. While there, Rocas had the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy), Le Corsaire (Medora), La Bayadere (Nikiya), Swan Lake (Odette/Odile), Sleeping Beauty (Bluebird pas de deux), and Don Quixote (Dryad Queen). Prior to joining The Joffrey Ballet, Ms. Rocas participated and won several prestigious awards from differing international ballet competitions. In August 2003, Ms. Rocas received a finalist certificate in the Junior Division of the 9th Asian Pacific International Ballet Competition in Tokyo, Japan. She was also chosen as a full scholar in the 2004 Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland. Then, in 2005, Ms. Rocas participated in the Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Helsinki, Finland, where she became a semi-finalist in the junior division. Additionally during that year, she received the Arpino Award and was also the silver medalist in the New York International Ballet Competition. Since joining The Joffrey, Ms. Rocas has performed in Apollo, Cinderella (Cinderella and Summer Fairy), The Dream, Giselle (Giselle), The Green Table, Light Rain, Les Presages, The Nutcracker, In the Night, Reflections, Pretty Ballet, Crossed, Age of Innocence, After the Rain, Stravinsky Violin Concerto and Romeo & Juliet.
About Big Foot Media (www.bigfootcreates.com):
Award-winning Big Foot Media, with over 20 years of combined experience, has an A-list team that can tackle almost any project with a full creative force. BFM loves to collaborate with clients who appreciate what good production is all about: creativity, originality and innovation. BFM produces stunningly beautiful videos, motion graphics, photographs and designs and has extensive experience in animation, copywriting, and social media. BFM likes to make cool stuff, with cool people – learning about them along the way – and takes deep pride in constantly working to stay on the cusp of awesomeness.
About Franz von Vecsey, Composer:
Franz von Vecsey was a Hungarian violinist and composer (1893-1935), who became a well-known virtuoso in Europe through the early 20th century. He was born in Budapest and began his violin studies with his father, Lajos Vecsey, and at the age of eight he entered the studio of Jenő Hubay. Two years later, aged ten, he played for Joseph Joachim in Berlin (making his début at “Beethoven Halle” on May 17, 1903) and subsequently became known as a stellar child prodigy virtuoso. Vecsey championed the Sibelius concerto, first performing at when he was only 13. He was also the dedicatee of Hubay’s Violin Concerto No. 3. He spent time composing, and wrote a number of virtuosic salon pieces for the violin. From 1926 until his untimely death, he lived with his wife in Venice at “Palazzo Giustinian de’ Vescovi” on Canal Grande. His career steadily faltered after WWI, as he grew tired of constant touring and wanted to concentrate more on conducting. By the 1930s, he was about to embark on that dream, but it was suddenly curtailed when in 1935 he became seriously ill with a pulmonary embolism. He sought medical care in Rome. The operation was unsuccessful, and Vecsey died in 1935 at the age of 42. (From Wikipedia.com)
About Caitlin Meighan, Choreographer:
Caitlin Meighan joined The Joffrey Ballet as an Arpino Apprentice in August 2006 and was promoted to a full company member in June 2008. Prior to joining The Joffrey, she spent two years training at the Ballet school of Stamford, two years at the National Ballet School of Canada and four years training with former American Ballet Theatre soloist Christina Fagundes. Her summer intensive included Boston Ballet, ABT New York, Studio Maestro and in 2006 she performed at The Banff Festival of the Arts. Also, prior to joining The Joffrey, Meighan performed lead roles in Paquita and Rudy Van Danzing’s Four Last Songs as well as roles in Serenade, La Sylphide and Chopiniana. Her performances with The Joffrey Ballet include Cinderella, Reflections, The Nutcracker, Mobile, Crossed and The Concert.
