Mark and Beverly Davis
Ayres and Dances for Two Guitars
© 2006 Mark M. Davis (837101228947)
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Original contemporary works for two guitars ranging from the peaceful to the passionate, inspired by traditional English folk songs, Welsh lullabys ('Suo Gan'), Spanish music, and Greek dances.
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THE MUSIC
Folk song has long been fertile ground for composers and arrangers of music for the classical guitar, perhaps the most personal of instruments. “Folk song,” writes Ed Flower, “has a haunting spiritual quality … [that goes] straight to the heart, stirring a response at the core of our being”. 'Ayres and Dances,' Mark and Beverly Davis’ new recording, celebrates this association with deeply felt and beautifully played renditions of original works for classical guitar inspired by melodic and rhythmic elements of folk song from around the world.
The Greek composer Kiriakos Giorginakis (1950-87) studied classical guitar with Dimitri Fampas. His music draws on rock, jazz, Latin American, and other influences but at its core is resolutely the folk song of his native Greece. His compositions include numerous works for solo guitar, flute and guitar, piano, concerti for guitar and orchestra, and flute and plucked string ensemble. Little known outside of Greece during his all too brief lifetime, his guitar music has become much better recognized internationally through the efforts of the guitar duo Evangelos and Liza, for whom Giorginakis wrote several works including the haunting Greek Memories, two movements of which are recorded here.
Born in 1905, the Spanish composer Ernesto Halfter wrote in a nationalist style inspired by his mentor Manuel de Falla. An extract from his orchestral work Sonatina, the Danza de la Pastora (‘Shepherdess’ Dance’) has been arranged for solo piano, violin and piano, solo guitar, bandurria ensemble; and, on this recording, for guitar duo. With its angular rhythms and alternating major-minor theme, so typically Spanish, the Danza is reminiscent of the sonatas of the Spanish harpsichord master Antonio Soler, flavored by the tone colors and dynamic range of two guitars.
British-born guitarist Edward Flower studied guitar in London and with the famous Spanish pedagogue Jose Tomas. During his long and varied career he has worked with a wide variety of artists, musical groups, and theatrical organizations. Mark and Beverly Davis perform four of his gorgeous settings for two guitars of folk song from the British Isles – a Christmas carol, a love song, a traditional Scottish dance set and a Welsh lullaby. His arrangements precisely capture the jaunty rhythms, wistful melodies, and soulful power of the originals, especially when so beautifully and lovingly played as they are in this recording.
Folk music is but one of a diverse set of influences that have shaped the music of Milan Tesar, including blues, jazz, and traditional classical forms. Born in Prague in 1938, Tesar received his musical education at the Prague Conservatory and currently teaches in Prague’s Jaroslav Jezek conservatory. His works for guitar have been performed worldwide by the Czech virtuoso guitarists Vladimir Blaha, Vladimir Mikulka, and by the Prague Guitar Quartet. One of his best known compositions, the Suita Karrusel is an affectionate homage to baroque structures and modalities, no more so than in the luscious Aria played here with exquisite tone and phrasing by Mark and Beverly Davis.
Rhode Island born guitarist-composer Robert Martel earned music degrees from the Boston Conservatory and the University of Connecticut. He has performed as a guitarist with the Providence Mandolin Orchestra, the Castle Heights Guitar Duo, Music For A While, and the Tomassi-Martel Duo; his compositions, the majority of which are for plucked strings, have been performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Completed in the summer of 2003, Summer Music, with its dance-like outer movements surrounding a ‘meditation,’ is a musical reflection of the season – in the composer’s words, “a time of rest, recreation, rejuvenation, and contemplation.” Notes by Robert A. Margo
THE ARTISTS
A highly-respected concert artist in the field of guitar and mandolin music for more than three decades, Mark Davis appears on many CD recordings, including the Grammy-nominated ‘Vienna Nocturne,’ and has been a featured artist at various international events such as the Festival Internacional Musica de Plettro (Spain), and the Kobe International Music Festival (Japan). Mark Davis is the music director of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra, and directs a classical guitar program at the Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island.
Beverly Davis has performed on the classical guitar for over two decades, and as a member of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra has appeared in concerts in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Canada, and throughout the U.S. Mark and Beverly Davis have performed together as a guitar duo since 2001, appearing in concerts in New England, Canada, Germany and Portugal.
THE INSTRUMENTS
Mark and Beverly Davis both perform on custom made classical guitars by luthier Stephan Connor. Beverly's guitar (left channel) has a German spruce top and highly figured koa wood sides and back. It has an inlaid 'twining rope' binding with bloodwood trim. Mark Davis' guitar (right channel) is an experimental model which uses lattice bracing and a custom Connor acoustic portal in the upper bout for improved resonance. It has a cedar top and Brazilian rosewood sides and back. Stephan Connor practices the art of luthiery on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His website is www.connorguitars.com.
reviews
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delightful!
author: John D. StahlA lovely album! Beautifully performed, wonderfully melodic pieces . . . a delight.
soothing, uplifting - a balm for hurried souls
author: Jackie Minixthis is a gentle, uplifting CD that soothes the soul and puts me in touch with a quieter place that too often is overlooked. Perfect in the car or at work as well as background for quiet conversations. Mmmmmmm - Nice!
Serene and warm
author: NancyJust lovely! The sound that this duo creates together is refreshing and beautifully delivered. I'm hooked on the Davis couple!
I love it... fantastic!
author: Michael Nicolella, classical guitaristI picked up your CD last week and I love it!! The playing and repertoire are terrific overall, but what really struck me is your sound. Those Connors sound great - though I think it probably is due more to the players than the guitars. The colors you get are amazing from the sweetest, warmest dolces to a brightness that sounds almost steel string-like - fantastic!!
..enraptured...sent shivers down my spine...
author: Bob WickesI am listening, enraptured, to the 'Ayres and Dances' CD for the second time running. Nancy and I listened to it for the first time at lunch just now. We both loved the music Beverly and Mark selected for this album and their obvious skill and enjoyment at playing it. The 'Last Farewell to Sterling' sent shivers down my spine, touching the place which lives within us all who number the Scottish among our ancestor races. Nancy said this will be the music we will play whenever we have guests. Thank you both so much!
Beautiful, relaxing and throughly enjoyable
author: Sandee PlocharczykThis music plays in my knit shop as background music and is enjoyed by all that walk through the door. When I heard this wonderful sound, I knew immediately that I wanted it to play all day in my shop.
Looks like a Hampton Gazette ad worked at least once!
author: Peter MilnerI saw the ad in the Hampton Gazette which had been forwarded to us by the Curry's and immediately sent off an order to CD Baby. They filled the order in amazingly quick time, when you consider the distance and border crossing. Elizabeth and I have enjoyed the CD very much. We will perhaps see you in Hampton next summer. I understand that the Concert for the Hampton Gazette was a geat success-great idea.
The music is very beautiful, thoughtful and calming.
author: Alana ShindlerThis is a wonderful collection of pieces. Every time I think I have my favorites down, yet another piece grows on me. The (contemporary) Martel pieces, Summer Music in three parts, is great; The Spanish piece, Danza de la Pastora, is complex and captivating; and the English folk pieces have lilting melodies at a thoughtful pace, transporting me into a kinder, calmer world. The Suita Karussel by Tesar, also in three parts, is lovely. Wonderfully chosen repertoire on this album, beautifully executed by Mark and Beverly Davis.
The sound is wonderful ! I feel relaxed !
author: Michiko KataokaThe sound is wonderful. I feel relaxed, when I listen to the CD and am impressed with tender feelings of Mark and Beverly Davis.
Charming, Graceful, Evocative
author: Owen HartfordThis is a wonderful recording of pieces either inspired by or based upon traditional dances and airs. Though the origins of some of the pieces may be traditional, the whole CD is an interesting mix of traditional, classical and contemporary styles. These are not raucous dances with rough edges or jarring dissonances, but they are rather filled with a more quiet energy, sometimes poignant, sometimes mysterious, sometimes just good-natured. The playing and phrasing are delicate, graceful and beautiful, and there is a wonderful use of a wide range of guitar textures and colors. It evokes memories of a contemplative summer afternoon in the countryside -- as suggested by Robert Martel's new piece on this recording.
Impressive Debut CD
author: Chuck HulihanA beautiful CD by two artists who really speak poetry on the guitar. From the robust Feast by Giorginakis that open the CD, to the rich harmonies of Summer Music by Martel that closes the recording, the music is engaging and the playing is elegant and ethereal. I really appreciate the clear phrasing, strong interpretation, and colorful articulations of these two players. The many layered tones Mark and Beverly pull out of their Connor guitars have been skillfully captured by outstanding recording and mastering artisans. I am a fan of the great guitar duos, Presti-Lagoya, The Abreu's, The Assad's, and this CD stands among my new favorites. Higly recommended for the great playing, great repertoire, and great sounding recording. Excellent CD!
The sound of these two guitarists is impeccable. The duo plays as one.
author: Townsend WalkerThis is a wonderful disc, for everyone, but especially for those who love the guitar. The sound of these two guitarists is impeccable. The duo plays as one. Every note is cleanly plucked and resonates, though not at the expense of expression and melody. That is an underlying theme. You can sense, and hear, the different melodic approaches these talented musicians take to each composer as you are taken on an international tour.