Fort Worth
8pm Thursday November 3, 2005
The Modern Museum of Fort Worth |
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Dallas
8pm Friday, November 4, 2005
Caruth Auditorium SMU
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Las Vegas
November 8, 2005, Tuesday
Doc Rando Recital Hall
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
UNLV Performing Arts Center
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Call:
(702) 895-ARTS (2787)
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The four worked with such extraordinary co-ordination that they seem to be guided by an invisible conductor. Actually, their split-second timing relied on eye contact, body movement and intuition, along with a commitment to excellence that was evident in every flawless phrase. Perhaps most importantly, the enjoyment these four derive from one another’s company imbued the music with vitality as well as virtuosity; passion as well as precision. Their enjoyment spilled off the stage and into the audience, too, making this an immensely satisfying and pleasurable experience.
Melbourne Age
The members of Saffire – The Australian Guitar Quartet are four of the most successful and talented guitarists that Australia has produced: Gareth Koch, Antony Field, Karin Schaupp and Slava Grigoryan. The group formed spontaneously in 2002 for a large outdoor concert, playing to some 2000 people. Based on the success of this concert and their synergy as an ensemble, the four soloists decided that Saffire should become a permanent ensemble. In June 2003 Saffire released their debut CD with ABC Classics, which soared to number one on the Australian Classical Music Charts within days of its release. In November 2003, they won the Australian Music Industry Award (ARIA) for Best Classical Album.
The quartet has already toured extensively throughout Australia, playing major concert venues around the country, appearing at festivals, including the Newcastle Guitar Festival and ENERGEX Brisbane Festival, as well as performing live radio broadcasts. Saffire toured Australia with RAZ Music in 2004 to coincide with the release of their new CD, Nostalgica.
Plans for 2005/2006 include a debut international tour, including New Zealand, Asia and Europe and further concerts around Australia.
The group’s performances are characterised by spontaneity and a joy in music making combined with a striving for perfection which four established soloists bring to an ensemble. Saffire also delight in bringing humour and enjoyment into their performances resulting in a dynamic that goes well beyond the music. The instruments played by Saffire include classical, flamenco, steel-string, baritone, eight-string, national resophonic (dobro) and octave guitars.
The members of Saffire are:
Antony Field studied at the Canberra School of Music with Timothy Kain, graduating in 1995 with First Class Honours and winning the “Most Outstanding Graduate” award. He has won prizes in national and international guitar competitions and tours internationally as a chamber musician. Since 1998 Antony has been head of the guitar department at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.
Slava Grigoryan has performed extensively throughout the world. Reviewing his New York debut, the New York Times said: “A remarkable recital… what comes across here is guitar playing of uncommon originality and authority”. Slava’s 1996 debut at Wigmore Hall was received with rave reviews. He began studying guitar with his father at age five and made his professional debut at 14. His recordings are available through Sony Music and ABC Classics. His album Sonatas and Fantasies won the 2002 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album.
Gareth Koch has released many solo albums in a career encompassing flamenco, classical, new age and world music styles. Reviewing his album, Journey to the Otherworld, Britain’s Classical Guitar Magazine commented: “This is possibly the best CD I have ever reviewed”. Trained in Sydney, Madrid and Vienna, Gareth holds a PhD in music and is Artistic Director of the Australian Guitar Competition & Festival. His solo recordings are available through ABC Classics.
Karin Schaupp won prestigious international prizes while she was still in her teens. She tours regularly throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the US, performing as a recitalist, soloist and festival guest, as well as making many TV appearances. A German review stated that her playing is “so perfect, so complete, that it seems like a miracle”. Karin Schaupp’s albums are released through Warner Music and ABC Classics.
