Stormwatch, Stormfall
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time. In 2004, he was appointed Master of the Queen’s Music, further recognizing the revolutionary influence he has had on the British contemporary music scene. His works often draw on the landscape of the Orkney Islands, where he has lived since 1971. On November 1st, Aventa presents the world premiere of his 2011 horn trio, Stormwatch, Stormfall.
"Stormwatch, Stormfall is an Aventa commission and was receiving its first performance. Written, the composer tells us, during a winter of particularly fierce storms and snows, the music has passages of considerable instrumental virtuosity and others of a lyrical near-tranquility. Darnell Linwood, John Lowry and Miranda Wong played what is clearly at times fearsomely difficult music with panâche and commitment.
De Assumtione Beatae Mariae Virginis was ... an almost Romantic performance, culminating in the almost overwhelming sense of joy, of ecstasy, in the closing passage ... This was a truly magnificent performance of a work which seems simply to grow in stature with every encounter." - Deryk Barker, Music in Victoria
Fall Tour
AVENTA Ensemble embarked on its fall national tour with performances in Regina (October 17), London (October 18), Montreal (October 20) and Toronto (October 21). Under the direction of artistic director Bill Linwood, the 15-piece ensemble performed an array of arresting pieces including works from Quebec composer Ana Sokolovic, British Columbia composer Rodney Sharman, Ontario composer Paul Frehner and Danish composer Poul Ruders.
The tour commenced on October 17, with a performance at Regina’s Shubox Theatre (University of Regina) and featured the world premiere of Rodney Sharman’s Prelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale and Paul Frehner’s Voluptuous Panic. Aventa reprised Danish composer Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio, described as “a wild ride of a score -- raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka's time.” (Kevin Bazzana, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC).
The tour continued with a 2-day residency at the Don Wright Faculty of Music (University of Western Ontario). On October 18, the ensemble presented a performance at London’s Von Kuster Hall featuring music from Paul Frehner, Rodney Sharman, Ana Sokolovic and Poul Ruders. On October 19, the ensemble presented a composer’s workshop, featuring repertoire from emerging Ontario composers.
On October 20, the ensemble appeared at Montreal’s Conservatoire de musique et d'Art dramatique as part of Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) Hommage à Ana Sokolovic, honoring renowned Canadian composer, Ana Sokolovic. Quebec baritone Vincent Ranallo joined Aventa in the world premier of Sokolovic’s Tanzer Lieder (adapted especially for this concert), as well as Rodney Sharman’s Cabaret Songs. Rounding out the program were Rodney Sharman’s Prelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale, Paul Frehner’s Voluptuous Panic, and Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio.
The tour culminated on October 21, with a performance at Toronto’s Gallery 345. Quebec baritone Vincent Ranallo joined Aventa in Sokolovic’s Tanzer Lieder and Rodney Sharman’s Cabaret Songs. Rodney Sharman’s Prelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale and Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio were also featured on this concert.
IgNITE! and Michael Finnissy
One of the most influential and respected composers on the scene today, Britain’s Michael Finnissy joins Aventa in the 2011 Ignite! Composer Workshop. Aventa’s annual workshop for emerging composers has proven to be an integral force in the Canadian new music scene.
In addition to works selected by jury from participating composers, this concert features Finnissy’s irreverent and wickedly amusing Mr. Punch for voice and ensemble. Celebrated Canadian soprano Helen Pridmore takes on the nine characters in this grotesque, dark comedy.
Spring Tour 2011: Sweden, Denmark, Germany and New York City
On May 30, Aventa performed the first of two concerts at the Athelas New Music Festival in Copenhagen. Aventa welcomed Montreal baritone Vincent Ranallo in a performance of Quebec composer Gilles Tremblay’s À quelle heure commence le temps? and German composer Heiner Goebbels’ classic work from 1991 La Jalousie. For a special treat, Aventa’s Corey Rae brought the house down with his performance of Danish composer Simon Steen-Andersen’s Study for String Instrument No. 3 – for prepared guitar and video. Athelas – Hvornår begynder tiden? LARM Radio
A•DEvantgarde Festival - Munich, Germany - On June 1, the ensemble presented a concert with the theme “Northern Lights” at the A•DEvantgarde-Festival in Munich, Germany, pairing works by Canadian composers Ana Sokolovic and Paul Frehner with premieres from German composers Markus Lehmann-Horn and Bernhard Weidner. Aventa also reprised Danish composer Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio, described as “a wild ride of a score -- raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka's time.” (Kevin Bazzana, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC). On the following day members of the ensemble presented a workshop at Hochschule für Musik und Theater München with the talented students of Moritz Eggert.
Back to Copenhagen - On June 3, Aventa returned to Copenhagen for a second appearance at the Athelas New Music Festival, in a program featuring the world premiere of Einstein's Dreams - May 14, 1905 by Canadian composer Jordan Nobles (with accompanying video from Vancouver composer Giorgio Magnanensi), Mauricio Kagel’s Norden from Die Stücke Der Windrose and Simon Steen-Andersen’s Chambered Music featuring Aventa trombonist Martin Ringuette. LARM Radio / Athelas – From different to different
New York City - The tour culminated on June 6 at Scandinavia House in New York City with a program featuring Poul Ruders' KafKapriccio and music from Canadian composers Paul Frehner and Jordan Nobles.
"Victoria band's Canadian tour a real treat"
"The concert closed with a performance of Pierre Boulez's Dérive II, in the revised and extended version Boulez completed four years ago. Imagine a Rubik's cube, constantly changing its surface patterns and constantly expanding, adding new combinations every moment. That gives you an idea of the restless concision and prolixity of this 45-minute piece, drawn from a handful of chords based on six pitches. It was by turns fascinating and exhausting. I sometimes felt I was being held captive inside a giant musical brain; but Boulez is too sensual, and too much a man of the theatre, to let any moment go by without some sensory thrill or dramatic flourish.
I can hardly give enough praise to the 13 players of Victoria's Aventa Ensemble and conductor Bill Linwood, who tackled all this difficult music with skill, passion and dedication. How lucky for all of us that this band is able to tour the country, for the second time in less than a year" - ROBERT EVERETT-GREEN, The Globe and Mail http://www.aventa.ca/reviews.htm
With a reputation for superb performance and ambitious programming, AVENTA's January 2011 National Tour featured performances in TORONTO (January 4), MONTREAL (January 6), EDMONTON (January 7) and CALGARY (January 8). Under the direction of artistic director Bill Linwood, the 14-piece ensemble displayed its musical flair through an array of arresting pieces including "Dérive II" by the legendary Pierre Boulez and the premiere of "Tombeau sur la mort de Monsieur Górecki" by Piotr Grella-Mozejko. Also on the program were Canadian composers Ian Crutchley’s" One Group of a Number of Beings (and Parts of Such a Group)", André Ristic’s "Six apparitions de Lénine sur un piano", Jordan Nobles’ "In una rete di linee che s'intrecciano" (In a Network of Lines that Intersect) and Laurie Radford’s "Flocking Filling Tracking".
“A superb contemporary-music ensemble” (Elissa Poole, The Globe and Mail)
Aventa has established itself as one of Canada’s leading contemporary music ensembles. The group is comprised of musicians who are passionate about new music and its place in our culture. Pushing the boundaries through diverse projects, collaboration and cultural exchange, Aventa challenges the preconceptions of new music. Founded in 2003, Aventa regularly commissions both Canadian and international new works and has presented over 50 premieres both in Canada and on tour. Under the artistic direction of Bill Linwood, the ensemble works closely with Canadian and international composers, developing instrumental techniques and refining interpretation as well as exploring projects which combines music with other art forms.
The Canadian premiere of Poul Ruders' KafKapriccio - a wild ride of a score
Apparitions - Sunday, October 17th, 8:00PM Aventa Ensemble Phillip T. Young Recital Hall (UVic School of Music)
It was a wild ride of a score -- raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka's time. - Kevin Bazzana - Times Colonist
...among the frequently hair-raising faster music, such as the klezmer-inspired opening section there were many moments of delicious lyricism and great beauty... KafKapriccio ... was the culmination of an exceptional evening, even by Aventa's own standards. - Deryk Barker - Music in Victoria
Visit Aventa Ensemble on FACEBOOK facebook.com/aventa
