ABOUT
An Italian-Dutch musician with classical training, he obtained degrees in piano and composition from the "G.Verdi" Conservatory in Milan, and in modern literature from the "Del sacro cuore" Catholic University of Milan. He also holds a double master of arts from the Conservatory of Italian Switzerland and the University of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland. Also at the "G.Verdi" Conservatory in Milan he also studied organ, choir conducting and orchestra conducting in depth. He has several other qualifications, including a diploma in soundtrack writing from the "Cinelife" Academy in Milan.
He has participated in numerous piano masterclasses, including those in Portoguaro, San Gemini, Cividale del Friuli, Piacenza where he studied with various teachers but mainly with Maestro Konstantin Bogino.
In his career, gaining vast experience, he has alternated various activities always linked to the world of music: performances, teaching, organization of courses, seminars, direction and musical coordination of vocal and instrumental groups, musical, narrative, poetic and theatrical writing. For over 25 years he has directed and coordinated polyphonic choirs in northern Italy.
He is president and founder of the association "Il Mulino Musicale", a non-profit association that deals with musical education and event organisation. He has taught in various schools, including the Swiss Music Center of Lugano, the Centro Studi Musicali della Svizzera italiana, the center for the development of talent in Lugano. He has collaborated for several years on educational projects with the Arcipelago Musica Study Center and the Castello Sforzesco in Milan and with the Per Mito Onlus Association.
He has received several international awards and recognitions both as a composer and as a performer. The most recent composition competitions of which he won first prize are the "Malta international composition competition 2023" and the "Rossetti international music competition 2023". His songs are performed both in Italy and abroad.
With the soprano Marine Guliashvili he formed the duo “Ventimariscelti”, a chamber ensemble offering original musical programs and projects that range over the centuries between opera and lieder and include new music written by Frequin. The duo was the winner of several competitions in 2023 including the "Gabriel Fauré music world competition", the "Fanny Mendelssohn international competition" and the "World best musicians competition".
Among his hobbies he plays the accordion, is passionate about chess, cooking and working with wood or other natural materials.
What do I do
In the musical field I consider myself mainly a pianist and composer despite having great experience as a choir director and occasionally an orchestra director. My piano repertoire is mainly classical music and ranges from the 18th century to today. I try to create interesting programs that also include lesser-known songs and my own compositions.
I love linking the writing of lyrics to my compositions by creating literary-musical connections and for this reason I write a lot of music for voice and piano. But by revisiting historical musical forms I also produce instrumental music. I also write on commission and have a certain aptitude for soundtracks and music for the theatre.
In the field of teaching I have decades of experience and I also write specific compositions
I have met many people throughout my musical life who have been role models for me, even if only for a short period of time. Among these I mention some of the teachers who left a mark on my artistic journey and for whom I have particular and sincere gratitude.
Don Luigi Cerioli, the first in order of time, a non-professional but very professional musician who with loving care taught me the first notes on the piano.
Andrea Rucli, pianist, who guided me towards a professional path through the search for expression and musical freedom.
Carlo Levi Minzi, pianist, who showed me the importance and discipline of technique.
Giovanni Carmassi, pianist, also gave me a literary approach to music, bringing it closer to other artistic fields and forming in me a greater interpretative sensitivity.
Carlo Delli Ponti, pianist, refined intellectual who showed me how a pianist does not have to limit his boundaries to the piano keyboard.
Konstantin Bogino, pianist of great personality, who gave me freedom and depth in the performance.
Elisabetta Brusa, composer, who was able to cultivate harmonious taste and sonic coherence in me.
Mario Garuti, composer, gave me an incentive to dare in research without losing the compositional geometry.
Domenico Zingaro, choral director, provided me with a historical and intellectual approach to choral conducting.
Simone Fermani, conductor, provided me with the foundations for good orchestral direction and taught me the care of expressive gestures.
