Graziana Presicce
Graziana Presicce is an Italian pianist currently based in the United Kingdom. She recently completed a scholarship-funded PhD in Music Performance at the University of Hull (2020). Her research and doctoral thesis, also explored through her performance activities, investigates music listeners' experiences of visual imagery. Graziana graduated in 2012 with a First Class BA Music Degree at the University of Hull, where she was awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham Music Scholarship and Special Prize in Music. The friendly atmosphere and the privilege to study piano under the guidance of Irina Glushenkova encouraged her to pursue her studies in Hull further, completing a Master course with Distinction (2014).
As a performer, Graziana actively engages in recitals, both as a soloist as well as accompanist. Past engagements include concertos with the New International Chamber Ensemble (NICE) and the former Hull University Orchestra. Graziana also performed on various occasions as part of the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra. In March 2017, she performed what is believed to be the recorded premiere of works by the Hull-born composer Ethel Leginska, alongside baritone Lee Tsang. The events, part of Women of the World Festival and Hull City of Culture 2017, were also featured on BBC Radio 3’s Music Matters. Most recently, Graziana joined Mahogany Opera (2021) as répétiteur for their 'Snappy Operas' project, performing newly composed mini-operas with primary-aged children.
Other performance appearances include various music societies and venues, such as the Hornsea Music Society, Howdenshire Music Project, Cross Street Unitarian Chapel (Manchester), Middleton Hall, Sewerby Hall and Hull Minster. In 2018 and 2019, she also enjoyed joining as deputy pianist for Silent Uproar’s UK tours of the award-winning theatre production A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad).
Graziana is keen on promoting the works of present composers and had the privilege of taking part in various collaborative projects and premières of new works, such as Nigel Morgan's Deep Sea Diver (Hull, 2012), Sandy Clark's A Blue Scent Rises (Leeds Lieder, 2012), Alastair Borthwick and Rob Mackay's Snake Lines (from Living Museums, Nicosia, 2014), and George Marshall's In Memory (Hull, 2017). Later this year, she will also perform works by Dawn Walters at the International Composers Festival (2022).
As classical pianist, her interests embrace a variety of musical styles, with a particular passion for the Romantic and Early 20th Century repertoire, and always looks forward to new, creative experiences.