East Meets West

EAST MEETS WEST with Sig. Thomas Liauw & Maestro Flavio Cucchi (Synopsis) For the first time - “East Meets West” Duo Guitar Concert was first 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 is no stranger to the guitar scene having played in more than 30 countries including Singapore since the early 90’s. The leading guitar contemporary composer Leo Brouwer after listening to Maestro Cucchi’s performance wrote: "Flavio Cucchi's perfect tone and virtuoso approach is serving marvellously to a panorama of my music".

The renowned American Jazz Composer Chick Corea also commented: "Ever since I first heard Flavio play the guitar I've been a big fan. His playing is simply filled with beauty..”. Maestro Cucchi has recorded over 15 CDs, one DVD and has many composers and artistes dedicating their works to him. Sig. Thomas Liauw obtained his Master-Of-Arts as a research scholar with National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University and has many other qualifications under his belt. In 2014 he was Conferred and Knighted by the President of Italy with “ORDINE DELLA STELLA D’ITALIA” (KNIGHT/STAR OF ITALY).

His performances has taken him to Iceland, London, Italy, Malaysia, etc. On radio, he gave 2 times of 13 parts series “Strings attached”, this is in addition to his 2 CDs and 5 arranged books. Sig. Liauw organises the International Guitar Festival (Singapore) and has been featured in many books such as “The Classical Guitar – it’s evolution, players and personalities since 1800 (Ashely Marks Publishing, UK) and most recently “Against The Grain” by Paul Fischer (2023 Choir Press, UK). Not only is he an exponent of the guitar, but also in demand as a teacher and performer.