Alexis Savelief

Born in France in 1987, Alexis Savelief began studying cello at the age of seven. In 2002, he was awarded the Second Prize of the Regional Prize of Picardy (PRICEM), and was invited to play Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto as a soloist with the Orchestre National de Picardie.

In parallel to his instrumental studies, Alexis studied orchestration and composition with composer Bernard Cavanna (Victoire de la Musique 2000) from the age of eleven. As of today, he has composed a number of works, and specializes in writing for orchestras and large ensembles.

In 2006, his score for the 1921 silent film Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, composed at the age of 17-18, was premiered by the Ensemble 2e2m and the Beauvais Cello Octet under the direction of Pierre Roullier. It was then performed again a number of times throughout the years, most notably in 2016, at the Opera of Rennes with the Orchestre National de Bretagne, in a new version with eight strings instead of a cello octet.

In 2007, Alexis adapted and orchestrated his score for Nosferatu in the form of a twenty-minutes-long concert Suite for large orchestra, and in 2016, crystalist Michel Deneuve premiered Leading Astray, Alexis’ Concerto for Cristal Baschet & Orchestra.

Passionate about rare musical instruments, Alexis plays a late Richard Waters’ MegaBass Waterphone — for which he developed an extensive Notation Guide —, as well as on Paiste and Tone of Life gongs. Always curious about innovation, he is currently exploring new possibilities on the cello with a BACH.Bogen curved bow.

From 2016 to 2021, Alexis has taught orchestration and musical notation with Finale and Dorico at the CRD of Gennevilliers. He continues today to give private lessons and offers training courses on Dorico through apaxxdesigns.

Alexis Savelief is currently composer in residence at the Orchestre National de Bretagne (ONB). His upcoming works include: a one-hour musical tale for actress and orchestra, a fifty-five-minutes-long symphonic cycle on the Ocean, a Cello Concerto, etc.

Alexis has also published a book on gongs…

Alexis Savelief’s tracks

• Arnold SCHOENBERG (Orchestration Alexis SAVELIEF) - “3 Stücke”, Op.11 - I. Mäßig (maquette) by Alexis Savelief