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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Angela Hewitt Week, 14th-20th May 2012

I just received information from a friend about Angela Hewitt Week in Ottawa, 14th-20th May as declared by Mayor Jim Watson. Ms Hewitt is performing with Chamber Players of Canada on Friday 18th May; there will also be An Afternoon With Angela Hewitt on 20th May at the National Arts Centre hosted by the Canadian Friends of the Trasimeno Music Festival .

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 .

The Venezuelan maestro comes to Cardiff

A highly anticipated evening of entertainment for M and I, we headed to St Davids Hall to see the conductor of the moment, Gustavo Dudamel , conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra . Highly entertaining, too, and the place was pretty full, though possibly not sold out. We had anticipated the first piece to be Antonio Estevez' 'Mediodia en el llano', but a last minute change meant the first work was (I believe - the posters up in the venue were rather short on info!) Berlioz' Roman Carnival. Initially we may have been a tad disappointed but the replacement work was excellently peformed, cue many smiles. Unfortunately, the smiles soon evaporated, as the second, and for us, least interesting piece, was Mozart's Piano Concert No.17 K453 with Emanuel Ax on piano. M described Ax as mellow, I described him as dull. That may be because neither of us are really into Mozart, but compared to previous visits to St Davids Hall to see pianists Noriko Ogawa and Freddy Kempf, we really...

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