PrettyInScarlett

Ryoko Itabashi Saturday 18th August saw the 8th annual Japanese Summer Festival here in Ottawa, organised by the local JETAA group . Somehow I didn't spot this last year, but the 2012 edition included all sorts of entertainment including musical offerings from Ryoko Itabashi on the shamisen, followed by Jordan Lincez duo featuring Jordan Patrick and an excellent Japanese accordion player whom I believe is Piromi (Hiromi Iwase). The shamisen performance was really interesting, both in terms of the music and the way in which the instrument is played. The technique seemed to be a mix between violin-family instruments and a guitar. Itabashi demonstrated the different styles of music from around Japan. Following on from this, Jordan Lincez provided a contrast with more contemporary Japanese (and Western) songs, especially solos from Piromi. Also on stage were demonstrations of taiko; kendo, iaido and jodo; as well as Japanese drumming and dance.   Providing a complete c...

The last 12 days have been an enjoyable musical experience. If anything I'd say that this year's concerts were even better than 2011. My highlight of the festival definitely goes to the four-part cycle The Rivered Earth created by Vikram Seth and Alec Roth . It's always good to hear new and different works alongside more 'regular' repertoire, and these four works were stupendous: Songs in Time of War ; Shared Ground/Ponticelli ; The Traveller ; and The Seven Elements/The Hermit on the Ice . The first two are available as recordings on the Signum label. They are predominantly vocal-led works, but varying between small and large choirs and tenor solo; the accompaniment from violin, harp, guitar, small string ensemble and piano. The solo violin suite Ponticelli and violin/piano suite The Seven Elements are amazing. Ponticelli is available on CD or download and would appeal to lovers of Ólafur Arnalds or Amiina .  In other concerts, Menahem Pressler was wo...

Mark Weiner As part of Ottawa chamber music and multi-disciplinary festival, tonight we went to see... a heavy metal band. Yes, Chicago doom band Earthen Grave performed at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts. The link comes by their resident violinist, classical (and metal) virtuoso Rachel Barton Pine. A very refreshing evening, as we haven't been to a dirty-guitar live gig in far too long. Not that I am criticising the excellent Apocalyptica ! It seems that something got lost in the promotion, as Saint Brigid 's wasn't that full and most of the audience were festival-goers, though this was somewhat balanced by the very enthusiastic metalheads at the front. We did find it rather weird to go to a metal gig in a former church that is still very much a church (plus no alcohol), though there was sufficient space to stand near the stage rather than remain seated. Most of the set comprised songs from the band's self-titled album, though there were covers of T...

As an addendum to my review of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - In Concert, local Ottawa blog Apartment 613 has a great review available here .

An evening off from Music and Beyond on Friday saw M and I at the NAC for the summer spectacular that is The Fellowship of The Ring - Live In Concert . A completely packed Southam Hall with a fair few concertgoers in some sort of fancy dress (I spotted at least one pair of Elf ears) taking advantage of the 'pub' set in the foyer. The performance was wonderful: in terms of the music, the percussion, brass and choral aspects were the most effective live. I'm sure we heard little bits here and there that I've never before noticed in the soundtrack. I had to keep reminding myself to look and listen to the NAC Orchestra - as usual, the film engrossed me. It was also interesting to see the theatrical version again, although being so used to the extended editions, the theatrical version did feel rather truncated. Very enjoyable and I hope the second and third films are also performed 'In Concert'.  

Starting this Wednesday I am blogging for Music and Beyond during their 2012 season. With 80 events there are lots of exciting concerts to come! I am particularly excited about the four-part series The Rivered Earth and An Equal Music , all featuring Vikram Seth. Furthermore, Rachel Barton Pine is back! This year's 'Heavy Metal Violin' concert features here full band, Earthen Grave . I listened to their 2012 album (self-titled) on Spotify the other day and it's pretty good! Posts during the festival are on the Music and Beyond blog . Also coming up this week is The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring live at the National Arts Centre . Something to keep film fans happy until The Hobbit, Part 1 comes out in December, the concert features the film on a 60ft screen with over 200 musicians providing the score. Fantastic!   

After last year's inaugural event (which I wasn't able to attend), the organisers behind Feverfest clearly have expansion in mind. This year's event, last Friday and Saturday (22nd and 23rd June) was co-hosted by Irene's Pub and Clocktower (Glebe) with indoor and outdoor stages. M and I spent an excellent Saturday afternoon relaxing in the shade at Clocktower. This year, I was enticed to go because The PepTides were playing but enjoyed most of the bands I saw. The lunch slot had been awarded t0 Loon Choir whom I hadn't encountered before, but were pretty good. We were not as impressed by Zoo Legacy ; their vocal sound in particular seemed either retro (if you like them) or dated (if you don't). During these sets more people were arriving, but the indoor stage was still pretty quiet when Ty Hall played his set. Just going on his unplugged set, I heard interesting lyrics in a singer-songwriter style, but having listened to some songs on his website , his re...