I'm honoured to announce that I've been given the opportunity to play the 1869 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume (with Vuillaume model bow) from the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank for the next three years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWOl_n4Q0R4&feature=plcp
Just a little run-through for a recording session that took place in April...
This summer, I had the pleasure of playing some great chamber music with many great musicians and friends at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and the Columbia Valley Chamber Music Festival in B.C.
Pictured here is a scene from the dress rehearsal of Pierrot Lunaire in the sweltering St. Brigid's in Ottawa, Warhol Dervish performing some Nico Muhly at Ottawa Chamberfest (in the same sweltering place), Warhol Dervish with violist-composer Lev Zhurbin at Toronto Summer Music (well, actually at the Duke of York), and the beautiful artists at Columbia Valley Music Festival. And for good measure, one of the view in Invermere, BC.
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Musicians (Mark Klopoushak, Matt Gruza, Larry Klopoushak, Brian Cherwick, and I) play outdoors at a wedding of good friends of mine in Hyas, SK.
A glimpse from our (ridiculously warm) rehearsal today. Come see the concert tomorrow night, 8pm, Chapelle Saint-Louis (in Jean-Batiste on Rachel/Drolet).
See Amber Ling Rollack's facebook album of the 2012 Ritornello Festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Performing Shaker Loops with the Boundary Ensemble at RitornelloFest on Saturday night was an incredible experience. Playing in the main gallery of the Ukrainian Museum, we decided to play in the round. It looked, sounded, and felt great. Also on the program was an amazing new work "Half-life" by Jordan Nobles and Hindemith's Trauermusik, beautifully performed by Mike Bursey.
This week, I'm rehearsing with the Regina-based Boundary Ensemble, which is made up of artists from across North America who come together to make music, share ideas and insprire collaborations through the arts. This week, Boundary is performing at the Westminister United Church in Regina (Friday, June 1), and at the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival (Saturday, June 2). This concert features works for string septet - we're playing Hindemith's Trauermusik, Adams's Shaker Loops, and a new commission by Jordan Nobles (a young Canadian composer) called Half-life. Looking forward to it!
I wanted to share with you an article that was published in the Indie Music 'Zine Pitchfork recently. Entitled "Making Overtures: The Emergence of Indie-Classical", the article explores the ever more present synthesis of the two musical genres (both of which I'm a huge fan and geek!). The article discusses composers influenced by pop, bands influenced by classical music, and newly forming musical collectives which defy labeling. I celebrate this very much, as it goes with my long-held belief that music is music...
An example of a lesser-known group with whom I've had the pleasure of working is the Plumes. Formerly known as Flotilla, this New York-Montreal collective is releasing a new album at the end of April on which I performed. I'm most excited for the string quartet track that opens the album, but for now, enjoy the fully orchestrated tune "Hero and Leander".
DDid I tell you about when this happened? Yes, this was crazy... And no, we weren't feeding her.