The Oberon Guitar Trio
Music of Our Time
© Copyright-The Oberon Guitar Trio
Record Label: Titania Music and Discs
Recorded in the Joyce and Quentin Doolittle Fine Arts Studio, University of Calgary, June 16-21, 2009.
Artist Website: www.oberonguitartrio.com
Performers: Murray Visscher, Brad Mahon, Ralph Maier
Repertoire:
- Alice au pays des merveilles by Claude Gagnon (b. 1950)
- Juxtapositions by William Beauvais (b. 1956)
- Follow the Star by Stephen Dodgson (b. 1924)
- Soupirs d’espace by Pascal Sasseville (b. 1972)
Buy this recording :
Oberon Trio - Music of Our Time (Gagnon, Beauvais, Dodgson, Sasseville): CD or MP3
About Classical Guitar Canada Reviews: The focus is not on the reviewing process so much as promotion. Classical Guitar Canada is about showing the world that Canada has a thriving and active guitar and music scene. Support Canadian artists by sharing this link and getting other people connected to the site. -Bradford
What better CD to review than an recording of Canadian performers playing works by Canadian composers! The Oberon Trio, based in Calgary, have recorded some great Canadian repertoire including the Alice in Wonderland work coinciding with Burton’s new direction of the film.
You can listen to previews of the tracks at the cdbaby link at the top of this post.
As you’ll hear, the group is very well balanced and obviously worked on getting their tones to blend well when needed. This is particularly noticeable in the first movement of Alice au pays des merveilles by Claude Gagnon. After listening to this movement a few times, titled De l’autre cote du miroir, I’ve come to realize how nicely paced the tempo is in the hands of these musically mature players. My favorite movement from the Gagnon is the spirited and witty 2nd movement Big Ben Rabbit. Oberon shines here with wonderful forward movement in the lines but also a sense of complete agreement on the direction of phrases and inclusion of witty musical allusions. I’d like to thank the Oberon for recording the Gagnon as it is a very significant trio, very unified in it’s concept and programmatic elements, possibly one of the best trios written for the instrument.
Juxtapositions by William Beauvais shows a different side of the trio with a more direct and angular approach to some of the rhythms present in the composition’s inner movements compared to the smooth legato outer movements. The Dowland Calypso is a fun little track and offers a lighter, laid-back side of the trio.
Soupirs d’espace by Pascal Sasseville. is an expansive and colourful work and another important one for the classical guitar trio repertoire. Take a listen, it’s a wonderful exploration of colour and balance of sonorities on the classical guitar. In fact, all the movements seem like an exploration of the instrument’s ability to present complimentary tones to well voiced harmonies. Even if the music is not your cup of tea, listen to the track and enjoy the sounds of the instrument – sometimes I forget to enjoy the instrument itself while focusing on the compositional elements. Oberon Trio delivers a high quality tonal experience, especially on the Pulsions galactiques and Vent solaire.
The album as a whole is fairly unified in compositional style. I say this as a positive remark. I like to see the album as a collection of works essentially in the same style but with enough diversity to keep things interesting, therefore, making the album a successfully unified offering. After listening to so many Naxos GFA winners and recordings of either varied programs or of the collected works of one composer, this album offers a better experience as a whole than most. Albums without a concept end up as reference material on my shelf to show students when selecting new repertoire – I don’t really end up listening to them. I can see myself listening to this album for enjoyment and perfect for “mood” listening on those raining days when I stay inside.
The Oberon Guitar Trio have delivered a recording both enjoyable and impressively performed making it a great addition to anyone’s music library.
I recently had a chance to hear some of the repertoire live as the Oberon Trio performed at the the 2010 Northwest Festival here in Victoria. Great concert guys. If you get a chance to see Oberon live go introduce yourself as they are super nice fellows and an important factor in Canada’s classical guitar scene.
The Oberon Guitar Trio performs movements I and II of Claude Gagnon’s “Alice au pays des merveilles.” First of three videos.
Alice in Wonderland (mvmts.I & II) – The Oberon Guitar Trio
Alice in Wonderland (mvmt.III) – The Oberon Guitar Trio
Alice in Wonderland (mvmts.IV & V) – The Oberon Guitar Trio
