Friday, February 22nd
duoJalal
Kathryn Lockwood, viola
Yousif Sheronick, percussion
February 22, 2019, Friday
2:30pm - duoJalal Performance -- at Common Hour (Esber Rehearsal Hall)
3:30pm - Viola Masterclass (122 MB II) and Percussion Masterclass (119 MB II)
5:30pm - Chamber Music Masterclass (122 MB II)
Kathryn Lockwood, viola
Yousif Sheronick, percussion
February 22, 2019, Friday
2:30pm - duoJalal Performance -- at Common Hour (Esber Rehearsal Hall)
3:30pm - Viola Masterclass (122 MB II) and Percussion Masterclass (119 MB II)
5:30pm - Chamber Music Masterclass (122 MB II)
duoJalal
Kathryn Lockwood, Viola
Yousif Sheronick, Percussion
David Krakauer (b. 1956): Klezmer a la Bechet
Percussion: Bodhran (Irish Frame Drum)
Kenji Bunch (b.1973): Lost & Found
(Commissioned by duoJalal in 2010)
Commissioned by duoJalal
I. Lost in Time (Dumbek)
II. Found Objects (Djembe)
Zhao Jiping (b.1945): Summer in the High Grassland
Percussion: Kanjira (South Indian tambourine) & Maraca
John Patitucci (b. 1959): Scenes for Viola and Percussion
(Commissioned by duoJalal in 2005)
Part 1: Tempo Rubato, Tempo Nouvo
Part 2: Tempo Moderato
Part 3: Rubato; Andante V Majestic
Percussion: Djembe, Ocean Drum, Cymbal, shakers, bells and various toys
Andy Waggoner (b.1960) ...to think again of dangerous and noble things
(Written for duoJalal in 2017)
Percussion: Tar, Gong, Bells, Bodhran, Kalimba, Tibetan Bowl
Yousif Sheronick (b.1967): Jubb Jannin
Percussion: Bendir (Moroccan Frame Drum)
Enzo Rao (b.1957): a different world
Percussion: Cajon (Peruvian Box Drum)
Program Notes:
Klezmer a la Bechet
Klezmer a la Bechet is part of a suite of pieces ("A Klezmer Tribute to Sidney Bechet") that I wrote in 1997 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sidney Bechet; renowned virtuoso on the clarinet and soprano saxophone and one of jazz’s first great soloists, along with Louis Armstrong. The suite is a musical description of an imaginary meeting between Bechet and Naftule Brandwein, the legendary Eastern European Jewish klezmer clarinetist. The full work was premiered at the Saalfelden Jazz festival by my band "Klezmer Madness!" (with Ben Neill), and subsequently recorded on John Zorn’s Tzadik label as part of the second recording under my name: "Klezmer NY". "Klezmer a la Bechet" takes the klezmer "terkisher" (Turkish influenced) dance rhythm as a base, and super-imposes both a funk feel and an across the bar line lyricism (reminiscent of Bechet) on top of that. This piece remains in my band’s repertoire to this day and is totally representative of my work in writing new klezmer music for the 20th/21st century. This version for viola and percussion was adapted by the duoJalal, and brings the Middle Eastern flavor of the "terkisher" to the fore with the use of the Bodhran frame drum. (David Krakauer 2008)
Internationally acclaimed clarinetist David Krakauer redefines the notion of a concert artist. Known for his mastery of myriad styles, he occupies the unique position of being one of the world’s leading exponents of Eastern European Jewish klezmer music, and at the same time a major voice in classical music. As one of the foremost musicians of the vital new wave of klezmer, David Krakauer tours the globe with his celebrated Klezmer Madness! ensemble. While firmly rooted in traditional klezmer folk tunes, the band “hurls the tradition of klezmer music into the rock era” (Jon Pareles, The New York Times).
Lost and Found (2010)
My work on Lost and Found began well over a year ago, with numerous starts and stops headed in very different directions. I gradually realized my difficulty in committing to a "sound" for this project was due to the seemingly limitless potential the combination of viola and hand percussion offered. When I recognized this unique challenge, I began to embrace, rather than fight it. In this way, Lost and Found is an exploration of the diverse stylistic possibilities presented by this ensemble.
The second movement, "Found Objects," explores a very different sonority, with the viola used as a guitar-like instrument, plucked and strummed with a pick. Again, the instrument is retuned, creating the illusion of an exotic folk instrument, similar, perhaps, to the Kora from West Africa. The Djembe supports this image, providing a pulse that draws connections between the world of rock and the wonderfully rich West African traditions that influenced it.
Lost and Found is commissioned by, and dedicated to, Duo Jalal, whose unique, vibrant sound has been a true inspiration. -KB
Kenji Bunch has emerged this past decade as one of the most prominent American composers of his generation. Hailed as a “composer to watch” by the New York Times, Mr. Bunch’s works performed by more than twenty American orchestras in the last five years. Currently serving as the Composer in Residence with the Mobile Symphony, Mr. Bunch has also participated in residencies for the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, the Spoleto USA Festival, the Craftsbury Chamber Players, and for Young Concert Artists, Inc. from 1998-2000. Mr. Bunch’s music is regularly performed and broadcast worldwide, and has been recorded on the EMI Classics, RCA, Kleos Classics, GENUIN, Pony Canyon, Capstone, and Crystal labels. A versatile musician, Mr. Bunch also enjoys an active performing career as a violist.
Summer in the High Grassland
Zhao Jiping took inspiration from the music of Mongolia for Summer in the High Grassland. The
syncopated rhythms and wide melodic leaps in the viola are characteristic of music from that region,
while the percussion represents traditions from all along the Silk Road. Zhao wrote “Summer” as part
of the Silk Road Suite for Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble in 2004. He used the inspiration of
the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), a traditional two-stringed instrument from Mongolia, which was
introduced to Yo-Yo Ma in 1999. He has transferred many of the techniques used to play this instrument to one of its descendants, the cello.
Composer Zhao Jiping is one of the most prominent and well-known composers in China. Among his
many works are the soundtracks to such famous films as Raise the Red Lantern, Farewell My Concubine, Ju Dou and To Live. He has received numerous international honors including awards at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals, and has been widely acclaimed for his ability to combine traditional Chinese forms of expression and conventional Western orchestral forces. In 1995 he was the subject of the documentary film Music for the Movies: Zhao Jiping. He is currently Director of the Institute of Dance and Music Drama of Shaanxi Province.
Scenes for Viola and Percussion
Amongst his many commissions, such as Turtle Island Quartet and the Italian chamber orchestra Suono e Oltre in Pescara, Patitucci wrote Scenes for Viola and Percussion. He’s given the viola an exotic sound harmonically, matching moods with the exotic hand percussion. The viola part has an improvisatory spirit and the percussion part with unspecified instruments, has intensity and groove.
New York born bassist & composer, John Patitucci is a jazz legend. In 1986, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences voted Patitucci the MVP (Most Valuable Player) on acoustic bass. He has won three Grammy Awards (one for playing and two for composing). In addition, his first solo recording, John Patitucci, was number one on the Billboard Jazz charts. He has released five albums with the Concord Jazz label: One More Angel, Now, Imprint, Communion and Songs, Stories and Spirituals. Patitucci has won polls including: Best Jazz Bassist in Guitar Player Magazine's 1992, 1994 and 1995 Readers' Poll and Best Jazz Bassist in Bass Player Magazine's 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 Readers' Poll.
...to think again of dangerous and noble things...Andrew Waggoner
I wrote ...to think again of dangerous and noble things... in November of 2017 for duoJalal.
The specific challenges inherent in writing for viola and hand percussion, coupled with
duoJalal's unique and stunning virtuosity, turned out to be generative in writing the
piece; material seemed to me to pour out of the instruments and the colors they achieve
in combination. The emotional frame was provided by Mary Oliver's rueful/joyful poem
Starlings in Winter, and its poignant, defiant admission,
I feel my heart
pumping hard. I want
to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings.
There's something ancient here, both in the poem and the instrumentation, that seems to
come through in the sicilienne rhythm that drives most of the 2nd half of the piece; it
eventually explodes in an effort to send the viola soaring, like the starlings, like anyone
who has ever wanted to fly.
...i want to think again... is dedicated with love and admiration to Kathryn Lockwood and
Yousif Sheronick, the duo of duoJalal.
Jubb Jannin
Jubb Jannin is the village where my mother grew up in Lebanon. My earliest musical memories were of my mother singing over a drone, usually the vacuum or our 1967 Buick (which had a nice hum in the backseat). This piece was inspired by the folk melodies I heard as a child. Jubb Jannin was originally written for the Nay (Middle Eastern flute) and the solo section has been adapted from Bassam Saba's original Nay improvisation.
Yousif Sheronick Known mostly for his “dazzling improvisations” and outstanding musicianship on percussion, Yousif Sheronick has also composed music for his solo CD titled "Silk Thread" which Modern Drummer Magazine calls “a testimony to his genius”. Jubb Jannin is one of the songs from this CD, originally written for the Nay (middle eastern flute), it has been transposed here for the viola. Jubb Jannin was inspired by the melodies that Yousif remembers from his childhood and hearing his mother sing over the drone of the vacuum. Jubb Jannin is his mother's village in Lebanon...a country with overwhelming beauty and heart.
A Different World
A Different World is originally for violin and drums, it was performed & recorded by Rao who changes the time signature in the main statement between 7/4 and 8/4, giving the piece an easy but uneven gait. The piece includes a violin (now viola) solo and a percussion solo before it returns to the opening statement.
Enzo Rao (born January 13, 1957 in Palermo) is an Italian musician who plays a number of instruments, including bass guitar, oud, saz, Jewish harp and violin, in a variety of folk and popular styles. He has performed with artists like Rakali, Glen Velez and Claudio Lo Cascio. In 1988 he founded the project SHAMAL which combines music from across the Mediterranean region. Rao has won the first prize in the National Composer Contest held by Radio RAI for his song "In viaggio!". Rao has also worked in composition for film scores. His heterogeneous musical background, allows him to play Rock, Jazz, Blues and a variety of Ethnic music styles. His true passion is Sicilian and Mediterranean ethnical music, which clearly comes through in this light and folksy song.
Artist Biographies:
duoJalal
Racing along with our new global society, duoJalal surprises the music world with their diverse and stunning artistry. duoJalal “are fearless seekers and synthesizers of disparate instruments and cultures” raves the Toronto Star. Like the marriage between Kathryn Lockwood and Yousif Sheronick, their music represents an organic amalgam of cultural traditions and musical styles. Audiences are enthralled as a classically trained violist from Australia ignites her instrument with passion - one minute embodying a medieval rebec, the next a Shakuhachi (Japanese flute). Yousif, of Lebanese descent, dazzles as he manipulates sound by simply snapping his fingers at the edge of an Egyptian frame drum or dragging his foot across the Peruvian cajon. From their chamber music foundation, duoJalal moves from Classical to Klezmer, Middle Eastern to Jazz, with a skillful confluence that is natural, exploratory and passionate. Inspired by their namesake, 13th century poet Jalal a din Rumi, whose visions and words brought together people of different religions, cultures and races, duoJalal opens their doors to all communities for a diverse and stimulating inter-cultural experience.
For the past eleven years duoJalal has performed throughout the United States, Australia and Brazil regularly performing world premiers of works composed or arranged for the group by Philip Glass, Andrew Waggoner, Derek Bermel, Kenji Bunch, Evan Ziporyn and Giovanni Sollima.
Their project “The Rumi Experience” was premiered at the Williams Center in Easton PA and continues to intrigue audiences with the coupling of poetry, multi media and music. duoJalal released their first CD on Innova Recordings titled “A Different World”. Critics hail the CD as an “exhilarating sonic and somewhat mystical experience” (Jordon Times). And their second CD on Bridge Records titled "Shadow & Light". The Toronto Star exclaims "If this is what the world music's future holds, bring on the party."
Always eager to collaborate, the duo embarks on a new venture as the ensemble in residence for the "Four Seasons@Sands Point" concert series in Long Island in 2019. The duo will collaborate with the string quartet, voice, clarinet and dancers.
Also known for their outstanding teaching skills, duoJalal offers masterclasses and clinics for string soloists and ensembles as well as world drumming to both children and adults. Recent masterclasses were held at Manhattan School of Music, New York University and the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention.
Kathryn Lockwood, Viola
Kathryn Lockwood has been hailed as a violist of exceptional talents in reviews around the country. The Cleveland Plain Dealer proclaimed, "...Lockwood played the vociferous viola cadenza with mahogany beauty and vivid character." Ms. Lockwood is the violist of the internationally renowned Lark Quartet and the unique viola and percussion duo, duoJalal. She is the Artistic Director of the "Four Seasons@Sands Point" concert series in Long Island in 2019.
She moved from her homeland of Australia to the United States in 1991 only to capture some of the most sought-after awards in the country including the Naumburg Chamber Music Award.As a member of Lark, she recently released two CD's on Bridge records; an "All Higdon" CD and "Composing America". With duoJalal, she released "A different world" on Innova Records of which the Toronto Star wrote: "Lockwood is all slow, sensuous allure with her bowing arm one moment, a tempest of notes the next."
As an original member of Pacifica Quartet, Ms. Lockwood has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Ravinia's Bennett Gordon Hall, Corcoran Gallery, St. Lawrence Center, and University of Thessaloniki / Greece, and has been heard live on NPR’s Performance Today. Ms. Lockwood collaborated with violist Michael Tree on an all Dvorak CD and composer Easley Blackwood on recordings released by Cedille Records. In 2005 Kathryn released a solo recital CD of Viola Music by Inessa Zaretsky, "Fireoptics", about which Strad declared "Lockwood is absolutely inside the music's idiom finding appropriate tonal shadings".
Ms. Lockwood is currently on faculty at University of Massachusetts/Amherst and the John Cali School of Music at Montclair, previously serving on the faculty at Rutgers University in NJ, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Music Institute of Chicago, and National Music Camp in Australia. Ms. Lockwood earned her Master's Degree with Donald McInnes at the University of Southern California, and her Bachelor of Music Degree from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with Elizabeth Morgan. www.kathrynlockwood.com
Yousif Sheronick, Percussion
Hailed by the New York Times for his “dazzling improvisations” and his “wizardry on a range of humble frame drums” Yousif Sheronick enjoys an active career as percussionist, composer, producer and educator. Having studied classical percussion through a Masters degree at Yale, Yousif went on to study music from Brazil, India, Africa and the Middle East which he seamlessly incorporates into his playing. Yousif’s unique skills in both World and Classical music have led him to perform with a diverse range of ensembles and musicians including Philip Glass, Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson, Ethos Percussion Group, Lark Quartet, Silk Road Ensemble, Branford Marsalis, Sonny Fortune, Glen Velez and Paul Winter. His many musical influences are highlighted in duoJalal, his venture with violist and wife Kathryn Lockwood. A feature article in Drum! Magazine highlighted Yousif’s versatility in an article titled “At The Corner Of The World”.
Always wanting to build bridges through music, Yousif has become a major force in bringing world percussion into contemporary/classical music. He has had the luxury of in-depth work with composers Evan Ziporyn, Derek Bermel, Kenji Bunch, Ljova and John Patitucci, all of whom were eager to compose for his exotic instruments. As a composer himself, Yousif’s compositions have been premiered and performed around the world at both the collegiate and professional level.
In demand as an educator, Yousif has conducted residencies and master classes at top universities including Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, University of Michigan, University of Kentucky, the Queensland Conservatorium and National University in Australia. In 2018 Yousif established his online frame drum school www.framedrumschool.org.
Yousif has appeared throughout North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. Prestigious venue performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Royal Festival Hall (London) and Wigmore Hall (London). Yousif holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Iowa. www.yousifsheronick.com
