Bernardo Alviz (b. 1987) is a composer and performer hailing from Bogota, Colombia. His musical journey as a double bassist has been dynamic, spanning from orchestral music to electric performances drenched in metal distortion and compositions written for AI.
Following an injury to his right wrist, Alviz developed his music for left-hand only, which became the focal point of his doctoral research, emphasising the expression of physicality in performance.
A recipient of scholarships from the orchestra academies of Komische Oper Berlin (2013-2014) and Staatskapelle Berlin (2014-2016), Bernardo has been a regular guest with esteemed orchestras such as Staatskapelle Berlin, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphony Orchester Berlin, Netherlands Philharmonic and Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin, among others. He has collaborated with renowned conductors and soloists worldwide, including Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel and Marta Argerich.
Passionate about contemporary music, Bernardo has performed in world renowned new music festivals, including Lucerne Festival (2017), Donaueschingen Musiktagen (2017) and Rainy Days Music Festival (2014) with the Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop, Infektio! Music Festival (2016) with the Staatskapelle Berlin, and the Malmo International Chamber music festival (2016) with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
Bernardo holds a Bachelor's degree from Universidad Javeriana in Bogota and pursued further studies at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, where he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He also obtained a PhD in composition/performance from the University of Queensland in 2024.
Performing on a Benedict Puglisi double bass from 2011 and a Yamaha SLB300 with his favourite Boss ME80 effects pedal, Bernardo continues to push the boundaries of musical expression.
Bernardo Alviz & Phoebe Russell
Musical duo Bernardo Alviz and Phoebe Russell draw upon their creativity and classical roots to produce a sound that bridges the divide between the acoustic and the electric, and between traditional and inventive techniques.
Their first collaborative work, Lienzos Y Recuerdos, is slated for release through Corella Recordings in May 2024.
Double bassist Phoebe Russell thrives not only as an experienced orchestral musician but also as a dynamic soloist and chamber musician, captivating audiences worldwide by showcasing the beauty and versatility of the double bass beyond the confines of the traditional orchestral realm.
At 17, Phoebe moved to Berlin, quickly making her debut in the Berlin Philharmonic's esteemed double bass section. A graduate of the Berlin Philharmonic’s Karajan Academy, she has performed in over 20 countries with leading orchestras such as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester, the Netherlands Philharmonic, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. She has had the privilege of working under multiple world-class conductors, some personal favourites being Sir Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, Andris Nelsons, Daniel Barenboim, and Zubin Mehta.
In 2017, Phoebe became Principal Double Bass of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and frequently serves as a guest principal with orchestras across Australia and worldwide, including the Australian World Orchestra and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
As a soloist, she has performed recitals throughout the country as well as internationally, including performing to a full house in the Berlin Philharmonic lunchtime series. She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Tasmanian and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, the Baden Baden Philharmonic, and has premiered works, including Paul Dean’s double bass concerto with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Phoebe enjoys actively collaborating in chamber music, notably as a member of Ensemble Q, and participates in chamber music festivals globally.
An accomplished educator, Phoebe holds the position of double bass lecturer at The Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the University of Queensland. She conducts classes internationally, including at the Guildhall School of Music in London, the Melbourne and Sydney Conservatoriums of Music, the Australian National Academy of Music, and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, advocating for music education through online masterclasses and courses and tutoring various programs, including the Harmoniá Social project in Mexico and the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp.