BTW--
This group is performing in Mt. Gretna, PA on Sept 5:
Saturday, September 5
3:00 pm Mt. Gretna Art Gallery Open. CG
4:00 pm Community Picnic. Please bring a covered dish to share.
Reservations required. 964-1830. HP/CHP
7:00 pm Pre-Concert Conversations LeVent du Nord. PH/MAG
8:00 pm LeVent du Nord, French Canadian folk rock. $27/22/12 in advance,
$30/25/15 at door. PH/MAG
See also this website:
http://www.mtgretna.com/artscouncil/cal.html
I have no connection--just live in the area but probably won't get to hear
them.
Regards,
Leonard Williams
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On 8/9/09 3:59 PM, "michael" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Le Vent du Nord
> The Stables, Wavenden. UK. 23rd July 2009
>
> This group of young Quebecois takes pleasure in presenting the traditional
> music of their childhood in an interesting programme. The line up is
> hurdy-gurdy/piano, two guitar/vocalists, and a violinist, who has a
> remarkable line in foot rhythms which provided an unobtrusive accompaniment.
> Perhaps if he had stood up we might have seen a display of tap dancing!
> The first half was mostly ensemble dance tunes and the odd vocal item, all
> performed with élan and vigour. More songs were presented in the second
> half and these were varied, some being humorous, others narrative, and
> usually single lines with instrumental accompaniment. I was not alone in
> wishing there had been song sheets or that the performers had taken more
> time to outline the content of each song. This would have taken up the time
> of only one item but would have greatly added to our pleasure and
> understanding. There was a good balance between guitars and voice, avoiding
> the common sin of the voice being covered by the guitar. It was
> disappointing that there was no hurdy-gurdy solo.
> The players spoke up well, but a bit too fast, especially considering
> their French accents which blurred their otherwise excellent English. There
> were a few people who had some knowledge of French but on the whole French
> is Greek to the English, and probably the denizens of most other countries,
> too. Presentation was good and straightforward with smooth continuity.
>
> But I always ask myself why, oh why, do these groups insist on
> amplification? The level set was bearable but constant, and tiring after a
> while. From time to time the ear requires a rest from noise. The sensitive
> ear also welcomes variation and I, for one, would have welcomed more
> variety: variety of tone colour, of volume, of key, of mode, of pitch, of
> tempo, of rhythm; contrast of solo and ensemble; major/minor;
> vigorous/expressive, to keep us guessing what might come next, and yet spun
> with a logical continuity. With this ensemble all this could be done, and
> would make, to my mind, a more interesting experience, while a female voice
> would add a pleasant counterpoint.
> This modern hall is small and intimate, with scarcely more than twelve
> rows of seats plus some side balconies holding perhaps as many again 200
> in all. It is an intimate space with, I think, good acoustics, and certainly
> there was no need for amplification, for plays are regularly presented
> there. Each one of these instruments would have been easily heard on its
> own, which is what they were designed to do. Is it supposed that we are deaf
> or that we only register when shouted at? Loud sounds are all very well, but
> we need calm from time to time.
> If these first-rate musicians were to recreate the homely atmosphere in
> which they learned these songs, would the audience listen, or do they take
> pleasure only in excitement?
> Despite these reservations the performance was an enjoyable one and we
> left with the pleasure of having had contact with the French-Canadian folk
> tradition, though we missed much of the humour because of our linguistic
> limitations.
> Michael Muskett
>
>
> >
>
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