Brazilian-born brothers
Sergio and Odair Assad have set the benchmark for
all other guitarists by creating a new standard of
guitar innovation, ingenuity and expression. Their
exceptional artistry and uncanny ensemble playing
come from both a family rich in Brazilian musical
tradition and from studies with the best guitarists
in South America. In addition to setting new
performance standards, the Assads have played a
major role in creating and introducing new music for
two guitars. Their virtuosity has inspired a wide
range of composers to write for them: Astor
Piazzolla, Terry Riley, Radamés Gnatalli, Marlos
Nobre, Nikita Koshkin, Roland Dyens, Jorge Morel,
Edino Krieger and Francisco Mignone. Now Sergio
Assad is adding to their repertory by composing
music for the duo and for various musical partners
both with Symphony Orchestra and in recitals. They
have worked extensively with such renowned artists
as Yo-Yo Ma, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Fernando
Suarez Paz, Paquito D'Rivera, Gidon Kremer and Dawn
Upshaw.
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| Since its inception in 1985, the Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Taking its name from the creation mythology of Native America, the birth of Turtle Island was the result of violinist David Balakrishnan’s brainstorming sessions while writing his master’s thesis at Antioch University West. In the 20 years since, the quartet has garnered a reputation for being on the cutting edge of 21st century chamber music. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma proclaimed them to be “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground – authentic and passionate – a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.” Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles and, by devising a performance practice that honors both, redefines the state of the art in the chamber music world |
Recorded By Classic 89 and
Nature Coast 90 on Friday January 26, 2007 at UMA. |
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