Aventa Fall Tour

With a reputation for superb performance and ambitious programming, Victoria’s AVENTA Ensemble embarks on its fall national tour with performances in Regina (October 17), London (October 18), Montreal (October 20) and Toronto (October 21). Under the direction of artistic director Bill Linwood, the 15-piece ensemble displays its musical flair through an array of arresting pieces including works from Quebec composer Ana Sokolovic, British Columbia composer Rodney Sharman, Ontario composer Paul Frehner and Danish composer Poul Ruders.

The tour commences on October 17, with a performance at Regina’s Shubox Theatre (University of Regina) and features the world premiere of Rodney Sharman’s Prelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale and Paul Frehner’s Voluptuous Panic.  Aventa reprises Danish composer Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio, described as “a wild ride of a score — raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka’s time.” (Kevin Bazzana, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC).

The tour continues with a 2-day residency at the Don Wright Faculty of Music (University of Western Ontario).  On October 18, the ensemble presents a performance at London’s Von Kuster Hall featuring music from Paul Frehner, Rodney Sharman, Ana Sokolovic and Poul Ruders.  On October 19, the ensemble presents a composer’s workshop, featuring repertoire from emerging Ontario composers.

On October 20, the ensemble appears at Montreal’s Conservatoire de musique et d’Art dramatique as part of Société de musique contemporaine du Québec (SMCQ) Hommage à Ana Sokolovic, honoring renowned Canadian composer, Ana Sokolovic.  Quebec baritone Vincent Ranallo joins Aventa in the world premier of Sokolovic’s Tanzer Lieder(adapted especially for this concert), as well as Rodney Sharman’s Cabaret Songs.  Rounding out the program are Rodney Sharman’s Prelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale, Paul Frehner’sVoluptuous Panic, and Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio.

The tour culminates on October 21, with a performance at Toronto’s Gallery 345. Quebec baritone Vincent Ranallo joins Aventa in Sokolovic’sTanzer Lieder and Rodney Sharman’s Cabaret Songs. Rodney Sharman’sPrelude to elsewhereless, Ana Sokolovic’s Géométrie sentimentale and Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio are also featured on this concert.

“I can hardly give enough praise to the 13 players of Victoria’s Aventa Ensemble and conductor Bill Linwood, who tackled all this difficult music with skill, passion and dedication.”
(Robert Everett-Green, The Globe and Mail)

Stormwatch

When: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 @ 8pm (Pre-concert talk 7:15pm)
Where: Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)

Aventa Ensemble
Darnell Linwood, horn / John Lowry, violin / Miranda Wong, piano
Bill Linwood, conductor

Program:
Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
Peter Maxwell Davies, Stormwatch, Stormfall (premiere)*
Justin Christensen, Hand I used to hold (premiere)
Peter Maxwell Davies, De Assumtione Beatae Mariae Virginis

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time. In 2004, he was appointed Master of the Queen’s Music, further recognizing the revolutionary influence he has had on the British contemporary music scene.  His works often draw on the landscape of the Orkney Islands, where he has lived since 1971.

Justin Christensen is considered to be one of Canada’s leading emerging composers.  Prior to the premiere of his 2011 work Hand I used to Hold, the Canada Council for the Arts will award Justin the 2011 Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music.

*Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Scottish Arts Council for their assistance in commissioning Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Stormwatch, Stormfall

Another exciting season of new music!

Aventa Ensemble 2011 / 2012 Season Announcement

2011/12 Season Overview

September 11, 2011 8:00PM – IgNITE! Composer Workshop

Phillip T Young Recital Hall – UVic, MacLaurin Building – Pre-concert talk 7:15PM

One of the most influential and respected composers on the scene today, Britain’s Michael Finnissy joins Aventa in the 2011 Ignite! Composer Workshop.      

Further information

November 1, 2011 8:00PM – Stormwatch

Phillip T Young Recital Hall – UVic, MacLaurin Building – Pre-concert talk 7:15PM

Aventa presents two works from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, one of the foremost composers of our time, including the world premiere of Stormwatch, Stormfall.    

Further information

February 3, 2012 8:00PM – Living Toys

Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. Victoria, BC

Presented in collaboration with the Victoria Symphony as part of their 2012 New Music Festival, Aventa presents an exciting evening of music by Gavin Bryars, Anthony Genge and Thomas Adès.    

Further information

March 25, 2012 8:00PM – The Comedy of Change

Phillip T Young Recital Hall – UVic, MacLaurin Building – Pre-concert talk 7:15PM

Described as “one of the most talented of his generation” by the Evening Standard, Aventa is proud to present the Canadian premiere of The Comedy of Change by Britain’s Julian Anderson in an evening of premieres!

Further information 

Aventa National Tour

Monday, October 17, 2011 8:00PM
University of Regina, Saskatchewan
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor

Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:00PM
Von Kuster Hall, University of Western Ontario
London, ON
Aventa Ensemble
Bill Linwood, conductor

Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio

Thursday, October 20, 2011 8:00PM
Tanzer Lieder
Conservatoire de musique et d’Art dramatique
Montreal, QC
Aventa Ensemble
Vincent Ranallo, baritone
Bill Linwood, conductor

Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
Ana Sokolovic, Tanzer Lieder
Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
Rodney Sharman, Cabaret Songs
Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale

Friday, October 21, 2011 8:00PM
Gallery 345
Toronto, ON
Aventa Ensemble
Vincent Ranallo, baritone
Bill Linwood, conductor

Rodney Sharman, elsewhereless
Rodney Sharman, Cabaret Songs
Ana Sokolovic , Géométrie sentimentale
Ana Sokolovic, Tanzer Lieder
Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio

AVENTA ENSEMBLE

Concludes 2010/11 Season with New York City Performance

Voluptuous Panic – Music from the North
Scandinavia House, June 6, 2011

Canada’s AVENTA Ensemble (Bill Linwood, Artistic Director/Conductor) wraps up an exciting 2010/11 season on a high note with an awaited performance at New York City’s Scandinavia House on Monday, June 6 at 7:30PM. Linwood and his 16-piece ensemble have concocted a delicious musical menu which mixes works by Canadian and Scandinavian composers. Voluptuous Panic – Music from the North includes Einstein’s Dreams – May 14, 1905 by Jordan Nobles (CDN), Voluptuous Panic by Paul Frehner (CDN), and KafKapriccio by celebrated Danish composer Poul Ruders. Moreover, Danish harp virtuoso Maria Sørensen joins Aventa in the US premiere of Per Nørgård’s …gennem torne… (…through thorns…), – one of Denmark’s most esteemed composers.

The namesake of concert is Paul Frehner’s remarkable new work, Voluptuous Panic. Frehner’s goal was to translate the euphoric vertigo and visceral excitement of certain extreme Olympic winter sports and ‘ilinx’ (whirlpool or vertigo) play into a musical form. “…Frehner’s is vital, angular music, which the superb Canadian ensemble Aventa, under the direction of Bill Linwood, implemented with precision” – Sueddeutsche, München.  Aventa also presents Jordan Nobles’s Einstein’s Dreams – May 14, 1905, based on the novel of Alan Lightman and Danish composer Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio, described as “a wild ride of a score — raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka’s time.” (Kevin Bazzana, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC).  A highlight of the program is the US premiere of Per Nørgård’s …gennem torne…, featuring the Danish harp virtuoso Maria Sørensen.

The June 6 performance in New York marks the end of Aventa’s 2011 Spring Tour, which includes concerts in Sweden (Malmö Academy of Music in Malmö – May 29); Denmark (Athelas New Music Festival in Copenhagen – May 30 and June 3) and Germany (A•DEvantgarde-Festival in Munich -June 1).

Hailed as “a superb contemporary-music ensemble” (Globe and Mail), Aventa is amongst Canada’s finest musical ambassadors. With a reputation for superb performance and ambitious programming, Aventa has established itself as one of the country’s leading contemporary music ensembles. The group is comprised of musicians who are passionate about new music and its place in our culture. Pushing the boundaries through diverse projects, collaboration and cultural exchange, Aventa challenges the preconceptions of new music. Founded in 2003, Aventa regularly commissions both Canadian and international new works and has presented over 80 premieres both in Canada and on tour.  Upcoming activity for the 2011/12 season includes a composer workshop with British composer Michael Finnissy, a new commission from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and the world premiere of Gavin Bryars’ opera Marilyn - Anyone can see I love you, based on the life of actress Marilyn Monroe and featuring Faroese vocalist Eivør Pálsdóttir in the title role. Please visit www.aventa.ca

Scandinavia House—celebrating a decade of cultural programming—is home to The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF). Offering a wide range of programs, Scandinavia House presents contemporary Nordic culture that encompass the visual arts, music, and literature along with business, finance, and technology.
View the press release in PDF version click here

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 7:30PM/ Scandinavia House, New York City
Aventa Ensemble, Maria Sørensen, harp / Bill Linwood, conductor
Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House
58 Park Ave. at 38th St. New York City
Tel: 212.779.3587
Website: www.scandinaviahouse.org

AVENTA ENSEMBLE

Spring Tour 2011: Sweden, Denmark, Germany and New York City

May 29-June 6

The finale to an exciting 2010/11 season, which has included highly praised performances across the country, Victoria’s AVENTA Ensemble (Bill Linwood, Artistic Director/Conductor) embarks on its third international tour. Highlights of the tour include appearances at Denmark’s Athelas New Music Festival and the European premiere of À quelle heure commence le temps? from the celebrated Canadian composer, Gilles Tremblay.  Hailed as “a superb contemporary-music ensemble” (Globe and Mail), Aventa is amongst Canada’s finest musical ambassadors.

Artistic director/conductor Bill Linwood brings the 16-piece ensemble to Sweden to perform at the Malmö Academy of Music on May 29, offering works by Canadian composers, Gilles Tremblay and Paul Frehner, as well as Danish composers Poul Ruders, Per Nørgård and Simon Steen-Andersen.  On May 30, Aventa performs Gilles Tremblay’s À quelle heure commence le temps?, featuring Montreal baritone Vincent Ranallo and Heiner Goebbels’ La Jalousie at Copenhagen’s Athelas New Music Festival. On June 1, the ensemble presents a concert with the theme “Northern Lights” at the A•DEvantgarde-Festival in Munich, Germany, pairing works by Canadian composers Ana Sokolovic and Paul Frehner with premieres from German composers Markus Lehmann-Horn and Bernhard Weidner. Aventa also reprises Danish composer Poul Ruders’ KafKapriccio, described as “a wild ride of a score — raucous, witty, colourful, sensual, full of delightful allusions to music from Kafka’s time.” (Kevin Bazzana, Times Colonist, Victoria, BC).  On June 3, Aventa returns to Copenhagen for a second appearance at the Athelas New Music Festival, in a program featuring the world premiere of Einstein’s Dreams – May 14, 1905 by Canadian composer Jordan Nobles. The tour culminates on June 6 with a performance at Scandinavia House in New York City. Danish harp virtuoso Maria Sørensen joins Aventa in the US premiere of Per Nørgård’s harp concerto …gennem torne… (…through thorns…).

With a reputation for superb performance and ambitious programming, Aventa has established itself as one of Canada’s leading contemporary music ensembles. The group is comprised of musicians who are passionate about new music and its place in our culture. Pushing the boundaries through diverse projects, collaboration and cultural exchange, Aventa challenges the preconceptions of new music. Founded in 2003, Aventa regularly commissions both Canadian and international new works and has presented over 80 premieres both in Canada and on tour.  Upcoming activity for the 2011/12 season includes a composer workshop with British composer Michael Finnissy, a new commission from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and the world premiere of Gavin Bryars’ opera Marilyn - Anyone can see I love you, based on the life of actress Marilyn Monroe and featuring Faroese vocalist Eivør Pálsdóttir in the title role.

“I can hardly give enough praise to the 13 players of Victoria’s Aventa Ensemble and conductor Bill Linwood, who tackled all this difficult music with skill, passion and dedication.”
(Robert Everett-Green, The Globe and Mail)

Sunday, May 29, 2011
Malmö Academy of Music
Aventa Ensemble, Maria Sørensen, harp / Vincent Ranallo, baritone / Miranda Wong, piano / Bill Linwood, conductor
Malmö Academy of Music, Rosenberg Hall, Malmö, Sweden

• Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic
• Per Nørgård, …gennem torne…
• Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio
• Simon Steen-Andersen, Chambered Music
• Gilles Tremblay, À quelle heure commence le temps?

Monday, May 30, 2011
Copenhagen, Athelas Festival

Aventa Ensemble, Vincent Ranallo, baritone / Miranda Wong, piano / Bill Linwood, conductor
Teater Republique
Østerfælled Torv 37
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø http://www.anmf.dk/2011/dk

• Gilles Tremblay, À quelle heure commence le temps?
• Simon Steen-Andersen, Next to Besides Beside
• Heiner Goebbels , La Jalousie

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
WHAT CRISIS?
Das 11. Internationale A•DEvantgarde-Festival
München Juni 2011

Aventa Ensemble, Bill Linwood, conductor
Reaktorhalle
Carl Orff Auditorium
Luisenstraße 37a
80333 München http://www.adevantgarde.de/

• Ana Sokolovic, Géométrie sentimentale
• Markus Lehmann-Horn, Falling (2011)
• Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic (2010)
• Rolf Wallin, Twine
• Bernhard Weidner, Noerdlich der Waldeinsamkei – Fantasie für Ensemble (2011 – premiere)
• Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio

Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Canada Council for the Arts for their assistance in commissioning Paul Frehner’s Voluptuous Panic

Friday, June 3, 2011
Copenhagen, Athelas Festival

Aventa Ensemble, Bill Linwood, conductor
Teater Republique
Østerfælled Torv 37
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø http://www.anmf.dk/2011/dk

• Jordan Nobles, Einstein’s Dreams – May 14, 1905
• Simon Steen-Andersen, Chambered Music
• Mauricio Kagel, Die Stücke Der Windrose (Norden)

Monday, June 6, 2011
New York City – Scandinavia House

Aventa Ensemble, Maria Sørensen, harp / Bill Linwood, conductor Victor Borge Hall, Scandinavia House (58 Park Ave. at 38th St. New York City)

• Jordan Nobles, Einstein’s Dreams – May 14, 1905
• Per Nørgård, Gennem torne (for harp and ensemble)
• Paul Frehner, Voluptuous Panic (2010)
• Poul Ruders, KafKapriccio

Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Canada Council for the Arts for their assistance in commissioning Paul Frehner’s Voluptuous Panic

View the press release in PDF version click here

Aventa Ensemble : 2161 Florence St. Victoria BC V8R 5E7 Canada
(250) 592-9713
www.aventa.ca

Ask you dance me

When: Sunday, Mar. 27, 2011 @ 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)
Where: Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building)

Performer:
Janice Jackson, soprano
Miranda Wong, piano
Bill Linwood, conductor
Aventa Ensemble

Program:
* Markus Lehmann-Horn , Falling (premiere)
* James Rolfe, Ask you dance me (Canadian premiere)
* Timothy Brady, 15 Stages in the Search for Radium and Love (premiere)

Fresh from the success of its recent Canadian tour, Aventa Ensemble (Bill Linwood, Artistic Director) continues its 2010/11 season with Ask you dance me on Sunday, March 27. The concert takes place at the Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building) in Victoria, BC.

The March 27 concert features the Canadian premiere of Ask you dance me by composer James Rolfe. “When I wrote this piece for Holland’s Asko Ensemble, I played with the word Asko, leading to Ask You, to Ask Me, to Ask You Dance Me, Me Ask You Dance, and so on”, explains James Rolfe. “These playful little jiggles formed a structure on which to hang the first movement. The second and third movements are based on popular songs, though the originals are obscured by other processes (including some faux Beethoven transcribed from a stuffed Beethoven doll). The results are hardly danceable; this is more a reflection on dance music.”

The evening also includes the world premiere of Falling, by German composer Markus Lehmann-Horn, and 15 Stages in the Search for Radium and Love by Montreal composer Timothy Brady – a compelling work based on the life of the Polish-French scientist Marie Curie (1867 – 1934), discoverer of Radium and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Soprano Janice Jackson – one of Canada’s foremost interpreters of contemporary vocal repertoire – joins conductor Bill Linwood and Aventa Ensemble.

“I can hardly give enough praise to the 13 players of Victoria’s Aventa Ensemble and conductor Bill Linwood, who tackled all this difficult music with skill, passion and dedication”, wrote Robert Everett-Green in The Globe and Mail recently. “How lucky for all of us that this band is able to tour the country, for the second time in less than a year.” Aventa has established itself as one of Canada’s leading contemporary music ensembles. The group is comprised of musicians who are passionate about new music and its place in our culture. Pushing the boundaries through diverse projects, collaboration and cultural exchange, Aventa challenges the preconceptions of new music. Founded in 2003, Aventa regularly commissions both Canadian and international new works and has presented over 60 premieres both in Canada and on tour.  Under the artistic direction of Bill Linwood, the ensemble works closely with Canadian and international composers, developing instrumental techniques and refining interpretation as well as exploring projects which combines music with other art forms.

Ask you dance me: Sunday, Mar. 27, 2011 8:00PM (Pre-concert talk 7:15PM)

Aventa Ensemble, Janice Jackson, soprano / Bill Linwood, conductor
Phillip T Young Recital Hall (University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building), Victoria
James Rolfe, Ask you dance me (Canadian premiere)
Markus Lehmann-Horn, Falling (2011) (premiere)
Timothy Brady, 15 Stages in the Search for Radium and Love (premiere)

Aventa wishes to acknowledge The Canada Council for the Arts for their assistance in commissioning Timothy Brady’s 15 Stages in the Search for Radium and Love.

In addition to its 2010/11 concert season in Victoria, BC and its fourth national tour, Aventa Ensemble looks forward to its third international tour with performances in New York City, Germany and Denmark in the spring of 2011.  Highlights include the Danish premiere of À quelle heure commence le temps? by celebrated Canadian composer, Gilles Tremblay, and the reprise of Falling by German composer Markus Lehmann-Horn at the A•DEvantgarde Festival in Munich.

Ignite! 2011 – A call for submissions

Deadline: JUNE 1, 2011

Aventa Ensemble is currently accepting submissions for its September 2011 Composer Workshop (Sept. 7 – 11).  This workshop, designed to benefit student and emerging composers, has no age restriction and is open to all nationalities.  Participants will have the opportunity of working extensively with composers Michael Finnissy (UK) and Michael Oesterle (QC).

The 2011 workshop will focus on repertoire for small ensemble.  The available instrumentation is: flute (including doublings), clarinet (including doublings), horn, piano, 1 percussion, violin, cello, and double bass.  The duration of submitted works should not exceed 10’.

Composers must provide a score, a brief letter of introduction, a curriculum vitae and, if desired, scores/recordings from previous work.  The deadline for the receipt of materials is JUNE 1, 2011. A jury of professional composers and musicians will select workshop participants.  Successful participants are required to provide individual parts by July 30, 2011.  Music and materials will be returned to the applicants if requested.  Participants must stay in Victoria for the duration of the workshop.  Aventa will supply a letter of recommendation to successful candidates for use in applying for travel grants.  All expenses are the responsibility of the participants.