A highly varied collection of colourful, witty, original duos by composer David Braid, performed by guitarist David Black and the composer on mandolin.
The unusual combination of mandolin and guitar makes for a uniquely clear tonal palette, both being plucked instruments but occupying different ends of the pitch spectrum.
An extraordinarily prolific composer, currently at some 150+ pieces (including three symphonies and a viola concerto); David’s work spans a vast range of moods and forms.
David Black’s virtuosity as an instrumentalist is further augmented by his work in arranging, teaching and his insight into the lute, and various types of guitar, which he also plays.
The open and curious mindset of both musicians is immediately audible in their performances.
Graduates of the Royal College of Music, The Royal Scottish Conservatoire of Music, The University of Oxford and The Cracow Academy of Music, the duo hold an impressive set of degrees which informs their deep insight into their chosen instruments and repertoire.
Biographies
David Braid – composer/mandolin
David’s work has been performed internationally in Europe and the Americas and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Major UK performances include Wigmore Hall, The Purcell Room and Wilton’s Music Hall.
He is extraordinarily prolific, having completed well over 150 works, including three symphonies, a viola concerto, and some 60+ works for his primary instrument, the mandolin.
David also plays the Renaissance lute and most types of guitar; his music is published by Productions d’Oz and Le Luth Doré.
Steve Reich said of David’s work: “Morning – Integration of voice with string quartet beautifully done – particularly first entrance. Writing for instruments is solid and sounds very good to me. Very honest stuff”.
David was born and grew up in Colwyn Bay in North Wales and was involved in various musical activities during his early teens, ranging from playing in numerous rock and indie bands, to the fiddle in the school folk group, before focusing primarily on classical guitar and composition in his later teens.
He attended The Royal College of Music, taking joint-first study in Composition and Guitar (with Edwin Roxburgh and Charles Ramirez respectively); also attending the composition classes of George Benjamin. He later continued composition (and conducting) studies at the Academy of Music in Cracow, and subsequently with Robert Saxton at The University of Oxford.
Two single-composer albums (CD/download) of his work are available: David Braid, Chamber & Instrumental Music and David Braid: Songs, solos and duos.
David has also completed some a further 10 download-only releases; a number of which are part of his Auto-work series, where he plays all the featured instruments himself.
As well as concert music, David has written film scores, most recently for Polish animation: Blask (Shine) and the short film: Compartment.
He also wrote the tutorial book/CD, Play Classical Guitar that was later published in Spanish translation.
David is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships including: The John Longmire Prize for Composition, Royal College of Music; The Jack Morrison Prize for Guitar, RCM; The Composition Prize for Youth Orchestra, Murcia, Spain; The Fine Arts Sinfonia Composition Prize (London); The Waterson Scholarship, University of Oxford; the Oppenheim/Downes Memorial Scholarship; The University Graduate Scholarship, University of Oxford and SPNM Short-listed composer, among others.
David plays a Collings MT mandolin.
davidbraid.net
David Black – guitar
David Black was born in 1978 in Bangor, North Wales and began playing the guitar at the age of 10.
In 2000 he graduated with first Class Honours from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and in 2004 he completed an MMus at the Royal College of Music, London.
David now lives in South East London and is busy performing solo, as one half of the Albach Guitar Duo and with contemporary music group rarescale.
Alongside classical guitar, David also plays the lute (having studied with Jakob Lindberg at RCM) and has played and taught electric and steel-string guitars for over 20 years.
Recent performances have taken him to San Francisco (Old First Concerts), Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Lima (Peru), Aarhus (Denmark), Greenman Festival (Wales) and recordings for BBC Radio.
David currently teaches guitar at Dulwich College, Eltham College, Blackheath High and St Olave’s School and has also written a study book for Quercus publications.
David plays a guitar by Kenny Hill.
hillguitar.com
Doors 7:30 | programme 8pm | tickets at eventbrite *here* or £15 on the door
