Recording: Continuum, Array and Guests

Artist: Continuum's Ensemble with The Array Ensemble and Guests

Song: Babbitt [excerpt] (Composer: Michael Oesterle)

Recorded at The Music Gallery ("Gaudeamus: Reconstructed"), April 4, 2014.

Continuum, Array and Guests - Babbitt [excerpt]

Full review to follow. The second night of the mini-festival in celebration of The Netherlands' Gaudeamus Muziekweek contrasted the previous night's improvisations by presenting works by a few composers — Dutch and Canadian — who have been associated with Gaudeamus in the past. To realize this vision, Continuum's ensemble was joined by The Array Ensemble as well as guests Michiel van Dijk, Koen Kaptijn, Nora Mulder, Rob MacDonald and Bas Wiegers. This piece from Michael Oesterle, as well as those from Louis Andriessen, Yannis Kyriakides and eldritch priest brought out a satisfying variety of textures.

Recording: Gaudeamus Deconstructed Ensemble

Artist: Gaudeamus Deconstructed Ensemble

Song: All The Pieces That Ever Won Prizes at Gaudeamus in the Past 25 Years (Part I)

Recorded at The Music Gallery, April 3, 2014.

Gaudeamus Deconstructed Ensemble - All The Pieces That Ever Won Prizes at Gaudeamus in the Past 25 Years (Part I)

Full review to follow. Celebrating The Netherlands' famed Gaudeamus Muziekweek, several local new music groups worked together to curate this mini-festival, which brought two nights of concerts plus some spin-off daytime activities to the Music Gallery. The first night was a Dutch/Canadian improvisation summit, featuring visitors Michiel van Dijk, Koen Kaptijn and Nora Mulder alongside locals Nicole Rampersaud, Josh Cole, Rick Sacks and Allison Cameron. This structured "comprovisation" was contributed (and cheekily titled) by Cameron.