Fun-filled new discoveries

Somehow the performance space at Alcorn Music Studios, Gigspace, has only recently found its way onto my radar; last Friday, 12th, M and I finally found our way to 953 Gladstone Ave for an intimate performance by Trio Oirialla. Trio Oirialla comprises fiddler Gerry O’Connor, accordionist Martin Quinn, and Breton composer and guitarist Gilles le Bigot, each of whom also has many side projects. The set celebrated traditional music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany and for the select audience it was something of a cultural history of these areas as shown through a huge variety of tunes both old and new (with a good dose of banter thrown in as well). Whilst the whole evening was hugely interesting and entertaining, a specific highlight of the evening came from one of Gilles le Bigot's guitar compositions.


The Reverb Syndicate at Mayfair Theatre

Saturday saw an impromptu visit to The Mayfair Theatre for one of their fundraisers for the purchase of a Digital Cinema Package projector (more information on the DCP and fundraising here). Instead of a specific film, the show was a performance by instrumental filmesque surf-rock band The Reverb Syndicate, with big-screen entertainment projected behind them. Very unusual, especially as the band had no idea what would be on screen! Their infectious tunes ended up showcasing lots of Jackie Chan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and lots of monster clips! Fun songs + crazy film clips + beer (courtesy of Rideau Valley Roller Girls) = a great Saturday night's entertainment.

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Pigeon Funk

Notes on a very random purchase. Earlier today I acquired Venetian Snares 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Sz ü letett ' purely on the basis of the language and artwork. Its certainly something different - and most definitely not pop. After a bit of searching: Venetial Snares is, according to Wikipedia, the performing name of Aaron Funk, who seems to specialise in experimental tracks in odd time signatures. Article here . The sleeve notes for this album (whose title is Hungarian for 'Born under a bad star') poses the question: what if, for just a day, we could both be pigeons? Interessant. Apparently this concept (a day in the life of a Hungarian pigeon) is non-typical of Venetian Snares sound, but one could ask, does Mr Funk do 'typical'? On first listening, the sound of this CD mixes classical/traditional Hungarian sounds and breakbeats. but aside from that? Definitely a 'listen for yourself' artist; try the website , fan site or myspace .

Lang Lang: a little bit of stardust in Southam Hall

Lang Lang with Anita Pari Like many National Arts Centre regulars, the idea of a Lang Lang concert sounded fantastic... except that for me the Gala tickets are rather too expensive. As a result the turnout for today's masterclass with young artists Anita Pari (Ottawa), Alexander Malikov (Calgary), and Tina Chong (Banff) in Southam Hall was pretty good. No surprises that there were photographers and a TV camera all over the stage... so much so that during Lang's analysis of Malikov's rendition of Transcendental Étude No 8 'Wild Hunt' (Liszt), someone shouted at the cameraman to move. To my mind they seemed a little intrusive on the performances, but none of the artists seemed to take any notice. Lang Lang with Tina Chong Up first and for me the best performance was Anita Pari with the captivating Ballade No 1 by Chopin. In comparison, Malikov's performance did not have anywhere near as much projection. Final performer Tina Chong seemed

New talent at Southminster

As a follow-on from last weekend's excellent Chopin concert, there is an afternoon of New Artists from the NAC's Summer Music Institute at Southminster United Church on 17th June. Entitled 'Dover Beach and other works for summertime', the concert features new artists Katarzyna Sadej , Emily Nenninger , Drew Santini, Hannah Min, Paul Casey , Karen Kang and Bryan Wagorn. I had the chance to hear Bryan Wagorn at one of University of Ottawa's Concerts at the NAC 4th Stage concerts back in February and thoroughly enjoyed his performance. The proposed programme is very enticing: MENDELSSOHN String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 MONIUSZKO Sen (The Dream) Prząśniczka (Spinner Girl) SZYMANOWSKI Lecioły Zórazie (The Swans Were Flying) Ściani Dumbek (The Dark Forest) CHOPIN Piosnka Litewska (Lithuanian Folksong) Moja Pieszczotka

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