Solos: The String Contingent - The Griffyn Ensemble

Saturday 31st Oct 7:30pm
Belconnen Arts Centre

Join The String Contingent in an intimate concert at Belconnen Arts Centre as part of the Griffyn Solo Series. The renowned acoustic chamber-folk trio are Griffyns Chris Stone (Violin) and Holly Downes (Double Bass), with Scotsman Graham McLeod (Guitar). The String Contingent have developed their sound over four albums in five years to reach ‘the upper echelon of instrumental exploration, arrangement, composition and performance’ (Tony Hillier, Rhythms Magazine).

The String Contingent combine their diverse musical backgrounds in celtic, classical, jazz and pop into melodic, evocative, exciting and poignant musical discussions or ‘trialogues’. Their music “… brings to mind the bluegrass records of Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. Early Scottish influences are also found, but strongest is an art-music influence with elements of Bach, Kronos Quartet and sometimes a splash of Philip Glass…they are incredibly skilled…” (Ulf Torstensson, Lira Magazine) In their live show, musical precision, refinement and beauty are balanced with visceral energy and drive, making for performances that speak directly to the heart and captivate the mind.

From their self-titled debut (2010), and throughout their second (TSC II, 2012) and third albums (Talk, 2013), Chris, Graham and Holly have consistently sought to revise the traditional roles of their instruments. Their compositions explore a myriad of musical textures through a balance of arranged and improvised material. This approach has resulted in a musical ethos that showcases the individuality of the musicians involved, rather than a specific genre, featuring bowed bass melodies, percussive violin accompaniments, intricate arrangements and tight grooves.

Their latest album is an expansion of this ethos through collaboration with some of Australia’s most revered performer/composers at the forefront of their respective genres. The resultant music showcases the skills of their guests and the stylistic flexibility of The String Contingent, seamlessly shifting through baroque, classical, jazz, indian, celtic and balkan elements to create a truly contemporary sound. The String Contingent have performed multiple times at all of the major folk/world music festivals in Australia, and toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand and have just returned from a succesful tour of Scandanavia and the UK.

Belconnen Arts Centre

118 Emu Bank, Belconnen
ACT 2617
Australia

Doors open 7:00pm, refreshments available.

Tickets Adult $25.00, Concession/Griffyn Members $20.00, Under 30 $15, Under 18 $10, Family $50 – Buy Tickets Here or at the door.