TONY COOPER G+ - an exciting new music programme from the International Guitar Foundation - is holding its first concert in Norwich at the Assembly House on Friday, May 19.
TONY COOPER
G+ - an exciting new music programme from the International Guitar Foundation - is holding its first concert in Norwich at the Assembly House on Friday, May 19, at 7.30pm. Its aim is to open up new dimensions to the guitar in the widest possible sense combining the classical guitar with new technology and putting it in an ensemble context.
The performers comprise Tom Kerstens/Amanda Cook (guitars), Dan Gresson (percussion) and the Duke String Quartet - Louisa Fuller/Rick Koster (violins), John Metcalfe (viola) and Sophie Harris (cello).
The programme - covering a range of styles - comprises specially-commissioned work by some of the UK's most expressive and engaging composers.
It includes John Metcalfe's Three Movements for amplified classical guitar with digital delay and Gabriel Jackson's Chorale - both for solo guitar.
Howard Skempton is represented with three miniatures for guitar and string quartet and at the other end of the scale there is Kevin Volans' Desert Steps for two guitars, viola and cello. South African born, his work with the Kronos String Quartet reached unprecedentedly large audiences around the world. Also represented in the programme is Joby Talbot, equally at home in the world of pop (Divine Comedy, arrangements for Paul McCartney, Travis and others), film (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) and classical (including all the major UK orchestras and BBC Proms). He contributes to G+ with a substantial four-part 25-minute work entitled Crumple Zone for two guitars (one doubling with electric bass guitar), string quartet and percussion.
Tom Kerstens is a versatile performer and equally at home on modern or period instruments and one of the most influential champions of the instrument's cause as a performer, recording artist and entrepreneur.
Dan Gresson has enjoyed stints with the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony as well as with the BBC Singers. He's also performed and recorded with the brass ensemble the Golden Section (formerly the Wallace Collection). And a couple of years ago he was appointed principal timpanist and percussionist with the pioneering new orchestra, the Southbank Sinfonia.
The Duke String Quartet have established themselves as one of Britain's most exciting string quartets. At home with music of all genres, their dynamic and approachable style has won them a considerable following.
The concert (which is also being presented at the Purcell Room on London's South Bank prior to Norwich) promises groundbreaking stuff.
Tickets £12, concs £10, at the door or in advance from the Assembly House box office at Norwich Theatre Royal, 01603 630000
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