Randall Avers » Misc.

legend, Ralph Towner

Randall — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:43:57 +0000

Last weekend, I took an inspiring weekend trip to Rome to visit the ECM recording legend Ralph Towner. I’ve been a huge fan of his music and playing, and have been researching his compositions and recordings over the last two years. I am preparing a solo CD of his music: Suite for Guitar, Maddelena Variations, and various etudes and ballads, and he took a large part of his weekend to help me fine-tune his music. Many thanks to Ralph and Mariella for the amazing weekend.

Back in Business

Randall — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:23:27 +0000

Hi All,

I’m in the middle of a 5 month pause from playing duo concerts so we can catch up on solo projects. Many things are happening:

Over the last few months, I’ve been building a sound studio in our basement with the help of carpenter Stian, and the John Sayes forum on the internet. Both have been incredibly helpful. The thing should be up and running in a couple of weeks.

“String”, the festival in Massillon Ohio has been moved to November 11-13, 2011. Judging by the response on this site, I’m will have to do a better job publicizing the event. We added Dieter Hennings, baroque lutenist, to the artist roster that now includes Goran Ivanovich and Andreas Kapsalis, Stephen and JoNell Aron, Les Freres Meduses (Ben and I), and Jeff Rodgers who will be giving a lecture on miking techniques for the guitar.

Ben and I will perform in Stark County Schools in conjunction with the festival. Other concerts will be at Fort Wayne Indiana and Cleveland Ohio during the trip. more info at: www.lesfreresmeduses.com

Clear Note Publications is set on publishing the 12 Silly Songs for 12 Silly Strings, written by Rami Vamos and myself during our Oberlin Conservatory 1000 years ago. I have a technique book in the works as well.

The lecture on the Music of Ralph Towner at the National Music Academy in Norway wrapped up on the 8th of April. This was part of the Annual Guitar Conference in Oslo where I found some die-hard Towner fans in the audience. The lecture talked about his life, recordings, publications and musical style, and I had a chance to play excerpts of pieces that are yet unpublished and unrecorded – Ralph himself contributed a lot of lecture. My first Ralph Towner concert will happen this summer at the Classical Minds Festival in Houston. It will premiere a number of his works… 5 new pieces to date.

Freres Meduses has scheduled concerts up to summer 2012, already with performances around France, Norway and the US. Check out the Freres Meduses if you want a see a full listing.

Guitar Duo website

Randall — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:17:01 +0000

Greetings all, and a Happy belated New Year to you.

I wanted to inform you about a site that Benoît Albert and I put together, “Les Frères Méduses”.

www.lesfreresmeduses.com

Thanks!

Randy

Dan McDaniel management

Randall — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:18:12 +0000

Ben and I (www.lesfreresmeduses.com) are pleased to announce the signing of our new US/Canada agent Dan McDaniel. He is the long-time US manager for David Russell, and the US agent Duo Melis, Zoran Dukic, Pavel Steidl and many other prominent world-class guitarists.

This flyer appeared in the Winter 2010 issue of Soundboard magazine

Duo page with videos and more

Randall — Sun, 16 May 2010 09:12:43 +0000

“Freres Méduses” coming to US, France

Randall — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:05:00 +0000

“les Freres Meduses” coming to the US, France

Benoît Albert and I started a project last year called “les Freres Meduses” (The Jellyfish Brothers) now with 20 scheduled performances. The original collaboration began a dozen years ago in Paris where we aspired to give audiences a serious musical experience. Nowadays, older…, we dashed away those silly serious aspirations and put together a program built o n our own composition and improvisation. To boot, we have and range of repertoire that includes music from Argentina, Cuba, and the US. Get off your computer, jump in the car and Come See the Show!

Randall — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:48:06 +0000

press reviews and quotes

Randall — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:43:35 +0000

“A brilliant artist. His relationship with the instrument is marked by absolute technical command, tremendous sound, and masterful use of tone color. His playing demonstrates perfect stylistic understanding, which is even more impressive when o ne considers the wide variety of his programming. His musicianship is thoughtful, intensely expressive, and profoundly beautiful.”

- Karl Wohlwend, Artistic Director and Presenter, Columbus Guitar Society
“…profundity and sensibility have been captured in the interpretative skill of Mr. AVERS… a facility and energy that transports the listener.”

- Les Cahiers de la Guitare, Paris, France

“Avers is impressive not o nly for his technique, which is faultless, but for his rich, opulent interpretation of the music…. His obvious involvement with such musical values communicated to the audience, which listened with rapt attention, a tribute to the sheer and uncommon musicianship of the performer.”

- Richard Zoller, Sierra Vista Herald, Arizona

“Avers is o ne of the most impressive artists I came across in the last few years.”

- Sergio Assad, guitarist, Latin Grammy awardee (2002)

“Avers plays with enthusiasm and power backed up by outstanding technical ability.”

- David Russell, guitarist (2001)

“Randall Avers interprets as Frank Lloyd Wright designed. His performances consist of clear lines meant to work with the composer, not dominate him… With long term musical ideas and a remarkable dynamic range, Avers deserves more than a cursory listen.”

- Guitarra Magazine, Andrew Hull

“Magic…unusual depth and versatility…”

- Tunisia News, Tunisia

“Some performers play perfect but without soul. Others let their emotions run away with them. Avers poured his heart into his performance without ever losing control… I have never heard such a perfect balance between technical perfection and artistic expression.”

- Mohammed Salmawy, prominent Egyptian playwright (1998)

“No other visiting artist has generated the kind of ecstatic response among audience members that Avers does, regardless of their experience or relative fame.”

- Stephen Aron, Oberlin Conservatory, Akron University (2003)

“when Avers plays, every preconceived notion of a ‘viable interpretation’ is turned o n its side and Avers spreads rays of light o n the composition. For those who are just coming to classical guitar music, they are treated to rousing and enthusiastic performances. Never miss a performance by Mr. Avers for the duration of what will be a long and glorious career.”

- Mickey Jones, Presenter, Albuquerque Academy Music Program, Albuquerque Guitar Society

“Avers’ playing can be described as very clean… full of meaningful expression.” “Liberated and animated… great playing.”

- Soundboard Magazine

“It is an understatement to say that Avers was more than equal to the rhythmic complexities and the high drama and nuances that the range of this very powerful work [Concerto de Aranjuez] encompassed. His control and rhythmic precision were evident, but never inhibiting to his beautifully nuanced playing.”

- John Elliker, The Times-Reporter, New Philadelphia