PACO PEÑA presents A Compás

Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 pm / Massey Hall / Toronto
Tickets: $59.50 - $39.50 - Call 416-872-4255 or online at www.roythomson.com
or visit the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office

Toronto, ON - Spain’s master guitarist Paco Peña and his spectacular troupe of three dancers, one singer, three guitarists, and a percussionist, present their show, A Compás (Primal Pulse), a spellbinding exploration of the vitality and intricacy of flamenco rhythms. A Compás is a wanderlust tour through Arabic, Gypsy, and Spanish folk traditions, tracking the roots of flamenco dance and music as they are passed from generation to generation. The audience will witness the compelling nature and range of rhythms, from the almost tribal, trance-inducing quality of the alboreá’ to the razor-sharp complexity of the bulería. At the same time, the show aims to isolate each artist at some moment, to “throw” them into the naked reality of a given rhythmic structure (or compás) and, in their own personal way, immersing themselves deeply into the feeling of the rhythm contributing their own creative input. The artists project an unstoppable pulse that every one can feel and identify with. Or, put in different words, they must try and get everybody “into the rhythm,” induce the feeling of “a compás” into the whole experience. The show’s format allows for unexpected and electrifying improvisation, and brings to the stage a true interpretation of what flamenco represents: a spontaneous collaboration between dancers, singers and musicians.

Over the years, Paco Peña’s shows have dealt with various challenging concepts, from the deceivingly simple notion of highlighting the essential significance of the flamenco song, unrecognized for many years, as was the case with his Flamenco Puro show, to the ground-braking drama Musa Gitana which told the story of the legendary, turn-of-the 20th Century artist from Córdoba, Julio Romero de Torres, with his complex observation of life and society and his personal, traumatic passions. More recently, Paco Peña enjoyed the collaboration of the renowned theatre director Jude Kelly in what proved to be the spectacular show Voces y Ecos, which took the audience on a kind of journey through the history of flamenco and the most significant moments in its development.

In 1981 he founded the Centro Flamenco Paco Peña in Córdoba, later becoming Artistic Director of the Córdoba International Guitar Festival. Another landmark was Misa Flamenca, a 1991 setting of the Mass that juxtaposed Peña’s company with a classical choir. Its premiere at London’s Royal Festival Hall, given with the Choir of the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, was followed by a staging at the 1992 EXPO in Seville. Misa Flamenca was also presented in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and throughout North America, including Toronto’s Massey Hall in 1998. One of Paco Peña’s latest works, Flamenco Requiem, which again combines flamenco with forms of classical music, came about as a result of performing Misa Flamenca over the years at various music festivals.

Paco Peña is based in London, but still spends a significant part of the year in his native Andalucía. In 1997 he was named Oficial de la Cruz de la Orden del Merito Civil, an honour bestowed by King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Tim Brady, composer and electric guitar

TIM BRADY: Composer & Electric Guitarist | 2009/10 Season Highlights

My 20th Century
CD & DVD release September 29 | 10-City Canadian Tour
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BRADYWORKS
Featured Composer, WINNIPEG NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL, February 2010
Tribute to Les Paul for 20 Electric Guitars, Guitar Solo & Orchestra

"Brady is a true mad scientist of guitar sound, placed on Earth, it seems, to smash the barriers between high and low culture. His wild guitar sounds are daggers in the heart of classical music pretense...” - Hour Weekly

Groundbreaking Montreal-based electric guitarist and composer Tim Brady, renowned for his radiant orchestrations and innovations in creating a new voice for the electric guitar, celebrates the 20th Anniversary of his ensemble Bradyworks this season, with a new CD and DVD, a cross-Canada tour of his extraordinary music/video/theatre work My 20th Century, the premiere of Requiem 21.5, a new work for Orchestre symphonique de Laval (where he is composer in residence), culminating in a residency at the Winnipeg New Music Festival where three of his large-scale works will be featured, including the world premiere of a work in memory of Les Paul for 20 electric guitars, electric guitar solo and orchestra. A unique artist on the new music scene, Brady has been declared "our prince of accessible avant-garde" (Montreal Gazette) and “the leading proponent of gaining acceptance of the electric guitar in new music (Downbeat Magazine). And, as a solo guitarist, he continues to make an unforgettable impact with his "astonishing virtuosity and brilliant mastery of tone colour.” (Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen)

Premiered in 2006, My 20th Century: A music/video/theatre narrative in 4 works, completed a 5-city Quebec tour last year and now reaches 10 additional Canadian cities this season (9 this fall, with the addition of Winnipeg in February). The first performance, at Montreal’s Espace dell’arte on September 29th, is also the launch of the new CD/DVD on the Ambience Magnétiques label. Written by Tim Brady with video by Brady, Martin Messier and Oana Suteu, the recording features Bradyworks: Brady on electric guitar, saxophonist André Leroux (an ensemble member for 18 years), Catherine Meunier on percussion, David Cronkite, sampler, and pianist Brigitte Poulin (pianist Pamela Reimer performs on tour). Montreal’s Quatuor Molinari is also featured on the recording.

Over the course of 80 minutes, My 20th Century examines and deconstructs four pivotal events in the 20th century, viewing each through the lens of an entirely new soundscape. 1: Strumming (Hommage à John Lennon) focuses on 1963-64, following the Kennedy assassination and the arrival of The Beatles in North America. 2: Traces (Hommage à Charlie Christian) brings us back to 1939-42, as black jazz guitarist Charlie Christian joins white clarinetist Benny Goodman on stage at Carnegie Hall – the first time in America that black and white made music together as equals in such a public manner. 3: Hommage à Rose Luxemburg (Casino Adagio), based in 1993 and inspired by the Jean-Paul Riopelle painting of the same name, investigates the convergence of money, politics and art. 4/5/6: Double Quartet (Hommage à Dmitri Shostakovich) spans most of the century (1906-75) over three movements, each dealing with a different aspect of the composer’s astonishing life – two world wars, revolution, a brutal dictatorship, and the composition of immensely powerful and deeply personal musical works. Following the performance in Montreal, My 20th Century will tour to Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Toronto (presented by New Music Concerts on Saturday, October 17), Halifax, Moncton, Ottawa and Waterloo, as well as in Winnipeg in February. (See schedule below.)

At this season’s Winnipeg New Music Festival, February 12-18, 2010, which is internationally renowned for innovative programming, Tim Brady is a featured guest composer. His residency includes performances of My 20th Century, Guess Who Symphony (a radical deconstruction and re-composition of the songs "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Runnin" Back to Saskatoon", performed by Vancouver blues singer Ndidi Onakalu, with the WSO) and the premiere of Amplify, Multiply, Remix and Redefine (in memory of Les Paul). This new work for a 20-piece electric guitar ensemble, solo electric guitar and orchestra celebrates the life and work of the legendary electric guitar and recording pioneer, who died on August 13th.

Composer and guitarist Tim Brady has created music in a wide range of genres ranging from chamber and orchestral music to electroacoustic works, chamber opera, contemporary dance scores, jazz and free improvisation. His work has been commissioned by numerous ensembles in North America and Europe including the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, New Music Concerts, INA-GRM (Radio-France), Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Esprit Orchestra (CBC), Relâche ensemble (Philadelphia), Australian group Topology, and The Smith Quartet (UK). Recent works include two operas (Bethune and The Salome Dancer) and two symphonies (Playing Guitar: Symphony #1 and The Choreography of Time: Symphony #2). He has released 14 CDs on Justin Time Records and, more recently, on the Ambiances Magnétiques label. Brady regularly tours North America, Europe, Asia and Australia as an electric guitar soloist, performing at leading venues including The South Bank Centre and the ICA (London), The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (UK), Bang on a Can Festival (NY), De Ijsbreker (Amsterdam), Radio-France Festival Présence (Paris) and the Darwin International Guitar Festival (Australia). His ensemble, Bradyworks, has toured Canada five times, performed in the US and Europe, and records regularly for both CBC and Radio-Canada. In 2004 Tim Brady was awarded the Prix OPUS for "Composer of the Year" by the Conseil québécois de la musique and in 2006 he was awarded the Jan. V. Matejzek prize by SOCAN.

www.timbrady.ca


My 20th Century Canadian Tour
Tuesday, Sept. 29 8pm Espace dell’Arte Montreal, QC www.dell-arte.net
Saturday, Oct. 3 8pm Eckhadrt-Gramatté Hall Calgary, AB www.newworkscalgary.ca
Sunday, Oct. 4 3pm Edmon. Public Library Theatre Edmonton, AB www.eccsociety.com
Thursday, Oct. 15 8pm William Ridell Centre Regina, SK
Saturday, Oct. 17 8pm Isabel Bader Theatre Toronto, ON www.newmusicconcerts.com
Thursday, Oct. 22 8pm CBC Radio Room Halifax, NS www.upstream.squarespace.com
Saturday, Oct. 24 8pm Capitol Theatre Moncton, NB www.capitol.nb.ca
Thursday, Nov. 5 8pm Carleton University Ottawa, ON www.onmc-cmno.ca
Friday, Nov. 6 8pm Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, ON

www.numus.on.ca

Montreal Guitarist Arturo Parra Explores “Cinema for the Ear”

Montreal guitarist and composer Arturo Parra is the featured artist in the concluding concert of the 5-Penny New Music Concerts' season. The event will be held on Saturday, May 23, at 8 pm at St. Peter's United Church, 203 York Street, Sudbury. Admission is $15 and $10 for students. Tickets will be available at the door or at Black Cat, 96 Durham Street, Sudbury.

Parra will perform selections from his new CD, "Voz" (Voice). Scored for guitar with vocal sounds, the album's programmatic narrative depicts in four movements a musical pathway through the elements of earth, fire, air and water. Each movement is in three parts, beginning with the edge, progressing to the heart, and then moving to the deepest recesses. The piece also contains political and literary allusions. The third movement, subtitled "Spirit of Freedom," pays homage to the Spanish poet, Miguel Hernández, who died in 1942 at the hands of the Franco dictatorship in Spain. The finale, subtitled "The Sleepy Ship Weighs Anchor," contains references to Homer's Odyssey. Throughout, "Voz" displays Parra's gift for writing music of emotional breadth, and it also brilliantly showcases a gallery of extended guitar-playing techniques with vocal sounds.

A native of Columbia, Parra moved to Montreal in 1989, earning his masters and doctoral degrees in music at the Université de Montréal in 1991 and 1998 respectively.

His compositional explorations have led him to develop innovative playing techniques that are complemented by a variety of "vocal expressions." According to Parra's web site, "The two 'voices,' guitar and guitarist, fuse to produce a kind of sound poetry suggestive of a 'cinema for the ear' – no screen or projector needed."

This event is presented in cooperation with Laurentian University and Cambrian College. It is also made possible with the financial support of the SOCAN Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Greater Sudbury.

Arturo Parra will also offer a series of conferences and workshops in the schools of Sudbury on May 21 and 22 thanks to the Socan Foundation.

For more information:

Robert Lemay, (705) 523-4167, rlemay@laurentian.ca

Arturo Parra, 514-525-8351, parraguitarra@yahoo.ca

Absinthe: concert d'Alex Cattaneo au MAI / Absinthe: a concert by Alex Cattaneo presented at the MAI

Spectacle Absinthe d'Alex Cattaneo : du 26 au 28 mars au MAI
Place à l'improvisation !
(Musique arabe contemporaine)
English version will follow

Lancement de l'album Absinthe, jeudi 26 mars 2009, de 17h à 19h au café du MAI (entrée libre)
Concerts du jeudi 26 au samedi 28 mars à 20h
Conversation avec les artistes vendredi 27 mars après le spectacle

Montréal, le 12 mars 2009 - Dans le cadre de sa série musique Circulation, le MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) accueille dans son théâtre le guitariste et compositeur de renom Alex Cattaneo pour le spectacle Absinthe, du jeudi 26 au samedi 28 mars à 20h. Sur scène, M. Cattaneo s'entoure de Sheila Hannigan au violoncelle, d'Annick Beauvais au hautbois, de Guillaume Bourque à la clarinette ainsi que des trois percussionnistes Eric Breton, Bettil Schulrabe et Patrick Graham. Ce concert est présenté conjointement au lancement de l'album Absinthe qui aura lieu le jeudi 26 mars au café du MAI, sous forme de 5 à 7 (entrée libre).

Absinthe est né de la passion d'Alex Cattaneo pour la culture musicale du Moyen-Orient. Le polyvalent guitariste en intègre certaines caractéristiques - système des modes, cycles rythmiques asymétriques - dans ses compositions. Présenté pour la première fois en spectacle, ce répertoire inédit est constamment enrichi sur scène par le biais d'improvisations qui se jouent comme des conversations. Ainsi, chaque musicien contribue de façon ludique et spontanée aux combinaisons formées au fil des différents rythmes et mélodies. Entièrement acoustique, Absinthe présente une instrumentation éclectique et originale : les percussions évoquent les sonorités arabes, le violoncelle et le hautbois sont plus typiques de la musique de chambre, la clarinette est omniprésente dans le répertoire turque alors que la guitare rappelle le oud et le saz.

Alex Cattaneo a collaboré avec la chanteuse Coral Egan sur l'album The Path of Least Resistance, nominé en 2003 pour le Juno du meilleur album de jazz vocal. Son travail avec le percussionniste Ganesh Anandan l'a ensuite mené à réaliser l'album Asa Nisi Masa en 2005. À titre de compositeur, M. Cattaneo a travaillé avec Charles Papasoff sur le projet Catharsis, auprès de Luc Sicard sur la série télévisé « Les Petites Vues », ainsi qu'avec Isabelle Blais pour la série télévisée Nos Étés III. Il est aussi fondateur et membre des Roturiers, un groupe country qui a reçu une nomination pour un Félix en 2008. Alex Cattaneo a récemment réalisé un album hommage au chanteur français Nino Ferrer avec 12 artistes dont Mara Tremblay, Catherine Major et Alexandre Désilets, qui paraîtra ce printemps sur étiquette Spectra Musique.

http://t.ymlp109.com/usbuaaauwmakauqhsaoaumwj/click.php http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alex-Cattaneo/21271598451?ref=s

Le concert Absinthe sera enregistré et rediffusé prochainement sur les ondes de CBC Radio 2.

On peut se procurer les billets pour ce spectacle en se présentant à la billetterie du MAI, située au 3680 rue Jeanne-Mance, en composant le (514) 982-3386 ou en visitant le site http://t.ymlp109.com/usbmaxauwmaaauqhsazaumwj/click.php

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Absinthe, a concert by Alex Cattaneo: March 26 to 28 at the MAI
Make way for improvisation!
(Contemporary Arabic music)

Absinthe CD Launch, March 26, 2009, 5-7 p.m. at the MAI Cafe (free)
Concerts: Thursday to Saturday, March 26 to 28 at 8 p.m.
Discussion with the musicians, March 27, after the show

Montreal, March 12, 2009 - The MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) presents Absinthe, a concert by renowned guitarist and composer Alex Cattaneo, as part of Circulation, its music series - on Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. Cattaneo will be joined onstage by cellist Sheila Hannigan, oboist Annick Beauvais, clarinettist Guillaume Bourque, as well as three percussionists: Eric Breton, Bettil Schulrabe and Patrick Graham. This concert is presented in conjunction with the Absinthe CD launch, which will take place at a 5 à 7, Thursday, March 26 at the MAI café (free admission).

Absinthe is the fruit of Alex Cattaneo's passion for Middle Eastern musical culture. A versatile guitarist, he combines several elements of the Middle Eastern genre - modes, asymmetrical rhythm patterns - in his compositions. Presented for the first time on stage, his original repertoire is bolstered by a free-flowing improvisational interplay that is highly reminiscent of conversation. Each musician thus playfully and spontaneously adds impetus to the many combinations that emerge from the various rhythmic and melodic currents. Absinthe - a wholly acoustic performance - showcases eclectic and original instrumentation: the rhythms give it an Arabic tenor, while the cello and oboe bring chamber music to mind; the clarinet is a staple of Turkish music, and the guitar is reminiscent of the oud and the saz.

Alex Cattaneo worked with singer Coral Egan on the album The Path of Least Resistance, nominated for the Juno for best Vocal Jazz album in 2003. His work with percussionist Ganesh Anandan laid the groundwork for his album Asa Nisi Masa, released in 2005. As a composer, Cattaneo has worked with Charles Papasoff on the Catharsis project, Luc Sicard on the TV series« Les Petites Vues », and Isabelle Blais on the TV series Nos Étés III. He is also a founding member of Roturiers, a country music group that was nominated for a Félix award in 2008. Recently, he recorded a tribute album to French singer Nino Ferrer along with 12 other artists, namely Mara Tremblay, Catherine Major and Alexandre Désilets. The album will be released this spring on the Spectra Musique label.

http://t.ymlp109.com/usbuaaauwmakauqhsaoaumwj/click.php http://t.ymlp109.com/usbeavauwmanauqhsaraumwj/click.php

The Absinthe concert will be recorded and later broadcasted by CBC Radio 2.

Tickets for this concert may be purchased at the MAI's box office, 3680 Jeanne-Mance St., by calling (514) 982-3386 or online at http://t.ymlp109.com/usbmaxauwmaaauqhsazaumwj/click.php

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Jeri Brown, soprano & Roddy Ellias, guitar

IN CONCERT FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Jeri Brown, soprano & Roddy Ellias, guitar

The Concordia University Department of Music is proud to present Improvised Musical Journeys ­ A Concert for Voice and Guitar, with Jeri Brown & Roddy Ellias. The concert will take place at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall (7141 Sherbrooke Street West) on March 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

Internationally acclaimed jazz vocal artist Jeri Brown teams up with poetic guitarist Roddy Ellias for the first time in a long overdue collaboration of improvised musical journeys. Repertoire will be drawn from compositions of contemporary composers, songs from the great American songbook as well as original compositions. Sound designer Mark Corwin will record the concert for future CD release.

Tickets for Improvised Musical Journeys ­ A Concert for Voice and Guitar are
available on the Admission network (514-790-1245 € www.admission.com) and at the concert hall box office: $15 regular, $10 for University staff, $5 for seniors and non-Concordia students, and free for Concordia students with ID (service charges applicable). For more information, call 514-848-4848.

Laudate Singers present VOICE OF THE TANGO

Laudate Singers present

VOICE of the TANGO

with

Douglas Schmidt, bandoneon

Kay Sleking, guitar

Saturday March 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm

St. David's United Church, West Vancouver

and

Tuesday March 24, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Capilano University Performing Arts Theatre, North Vancouver

Tickets $25 / $20 / Free for ages 17 & under (reservation required)

For March 21^st: 604.729.6814 or www.laudatesingers.com

For March 24^th: as above, and via Capilano University at 604.990.7810 or boxoffic@capilanou.ca

Laudate Singers and artistic director Lars Kaario invite Vancouver audiences to dance a few steps off the beaten path with Voice of the Tango: a ground-breaking programme of sensuous, alluring choral music from Central and South America, featuring internationally-renowned instrumentalists Douglas Schmidt (on bandoneon, the quintessential instrument of the tango) and Kay Sleking (guitar). The repertoire – much of it very seldom performed in Canada to date – will include works by Astor Piazzolla, Oscar Escalada, Miguel Matamoros, Gustavo “Cuchi” Leguizamón, Eduardo Ferraudi, Jorge Cardoso, Carlos Gardel and Hector Stamponi among others, as well as newly commissioned works for choir, bandoneon and guitar by Douglas Schmidt and Laudate’s composer-in-residence Bruce Sled.

Laudate Singers – well known for their high level of technical skill and interpretive flexibility, as well as for consistently presenting repertoire that spans centuries and continents in a relevant and accessible manner – are excited about the artistic challenge of performing this dynamic, passionate music. They also look forward to working with and learning from instrumentalists who are internationally recognized experts in Latin and South American music. Mr. Schmidt, a transplanted British Columbian best known in Canada as a member of Tango Paradiso and Montreal's Quartango, comes to Vancouver from Germany. Mr. Sleking is based in Amsterdam, and works extensively in Europe both as a soloist and as a member of several high-profile tango ensembles.

www.laudatesingers.com

Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition

Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition

$15,000 in Cash Prizes

October 30 - November 1, 2008 - Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition which honours the memory of Aaron Brock, a brilliant young classical guitarist, composer and Royal Conservatory instructor, who died tragically two years ago, will be held from October 30 to November 1, 2008.

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition is the first initiative of the Foundation created in Aaron's name. The Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes that, as a result of Aaron's young life being cut tragically short, were left unfulfilled.

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition will take place in Mazzoleni Hall in conjunction with The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W. Access through the Philosopher's Walk entrance.

Aaron Robin Brock passed away suddenly at his home on August 3, 2006 at 31 years of age, when his good heart failed without warning, the result of an undiagnosed condition known as ARVC. Aaron was already an accomplished performer having given concerts across the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. At the time of his death he was regarded as a great musician of exceptional talent, capable of evoking deep emotion, and sharing a warm, generous connection with his audiences. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2003, where he was chosen to be the inaugural recipient of the Andres Segovia Award. He had won top prizes at numerous international competitions such as the Schadt String Competition, Rantoucci Guitar Festival, Appalachian Guitarfest, Canadian Music Competition, Barnett Foundation Guitar Competition, Stotsenberg Guitar Competition, Guitar Foundation of America Competition and the Concert Artists Guild.

Aaron had collaborated as a guitar soloist with many distinguished musicians, ensembles and orchestras in Canada and abroad. His performances were broadcast on CBC radio and City-TV television. Aaron was also a dedicated teacher on the guitar faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, as well as an active composer. His first CD, Toccata was released May 2006.

An international panel of accomplished guitarists and judges from Canada, U.S.A. and Norway will adjudicate the Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition which is the largest prize guitar competition in Canada offering $15,000 in cash prizes, a three week music residency at the Banff School of Music, and engagements in Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico.

This year's qualifying competing guitarists are from Canada, Australia, U.S.A., Mexico and Greece. The Preliminary Round is Thursday, October 30th from 10am to 2pm. That night at 7:30pm three of the judges, Nicholas Goluses, Mark Delpriora and Randal Avers will play a short concert celebrating the guitar in Mazzoleni Hall.

The Semi-Final Round is Friday, October 31st 10am to 2pm. The Final Round (Concerto] is Saturday, November 1st at 7pm with results announced at the end of the evening. All events are open to the public and are FREE! For complete details and a schedule of events, visit www.aaronbrockcompetition.com.