Two internationally acclaimed guitarists will be guest artists for the next installment of String Theory at the Hunter Museum.
The performance is one of 20 scheduled in France and the United States this year by Randall Avers and Benoit Albert as part of a project they call “Les Freres Meduses” (The Jellyfish Brothers).
On his Web site, Avers explains that their original collaboration began a dozen years ago while they were graduating students at the Paris Conservatory.
“At that time, our focus was primarily on presenting classical music for the guitar,” he said. “During that era, we managed to play concerts around France, made a recording and ultimately won a first prize at the Paris Conservatory.”
For the next decade, Avers and Albert performed separately but with each exploring a broader spectrum of music: jazz, fingerstyle and folk music from around the world. The classical music that was their mainstay gave way to their own popular-inspired compositions and improvisations.
The Jellyfish project marks the next phase of their collaboration. The concerts focus on three performance areas: interpretation, composition and improvisation, Avers said.
“Our current program includes interpretations of some of the modern masterworks written for two guitars (Piazzolla, Brouwer), some of our own compositions (‘Silly Songs by Avers/Vamos, Solo Suite by Albert) for solo and duo guitars, and free and thematic improvisation entitled ‘Noise.’ “
In January, the duo released “Ten Years After,” which includes their recorded performances from 1999 and 2009.
Contributed Photo
Guitar duo Benoit Albert, left, and Randall Avers will showcase their “Jellyfish Brothers” collaboration in a concert Thursday.
IF YOU GO
* What: String Theory, featuring guitar duo Randall Avers and Benoit Albert.
* When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
* Where: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View.
* Admission: $18 general public; $8 museum members, String Theory donors and students with ID.
* Phone: 267-0968.
* Web site: www.huntermuseum.org/learn/string-theory.
SAVE THE DATE
* April 8: The final concert in the String Theory chamber music series features Erin Keefe (violin), Nai-Yuan Hu (violin), Scott Lee (viola) and Edward Arron (cello).