Duo Concert
Les Frères Méduses have performed as a duo in the United States and Europe over the last five years, programming improvised music, folk music arrangements, classical music and their own compositions, and have premiered new works by Joseph Williams II and Atanas Ourkouzounov. They have performed at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, Chicago Guitar Festival, Austin Classical Guitar Society, Texas Chamber Music Festival, String Theory at Hunter Museum, Oberlin Conservatory, Nashville Virtuoso Showcase, and the String Festival. European performances include the Festival de Joué lès Tours, Stavanger Gitarfestival, Théâtre Ducourneau, le Conservatoire de Nantes, and Norges Musikkhøyskole.
“Incontestably, these two musicians are accomplices… they played a varied and rich repertoire to perfection.”
- la Depeche, France
“Les Frères Méduses blend striking virtuosity with inventive programming, expressive beauty, and engaging humor. Master performers, master teachers, and warm wonderful personalities.”
- Dr. Matthew Hinsley, President, Austin Classical Guitar Society
“Unparalleled charisma, refinement and virtuosity… Les Frères Méduses entranced the audience with an evening of indelible performance.”
- Gloria Chien, artistic director of String Theory at the Hunter Museum, Chattanooga, TN
Folk Music
The core of the Les Frères Méduses’ duo program is Balkan Folk Music represented by composers Dusan Bogdanovich, Atanas Ourkouzounov and Goran Ivanovich. Soundboard magazine writes:
“the duo sounds as if they have lived this style since infancy.”
Classical Repertoire
In 2013, the duo premiered “Memoria”, a two-movement work by ACGS composer-in-residence Joseph V. Williams II. The work was commissioned by the Austin Classical Guitar Society and draws inspiration from Hungarian Gypsy Music.
“Les Frères Méduses sounded like one guitarist, seamlessly alternating lines and phrases with only the occasional glance to facilitate their communication. The second movement, Fantasy, featured a more active texture and an insistent bassline that pushed the work forward to its conclusion, resulting in a standing ovation from the crowd.”
- Andrew Sigler, New Music Box
Composition
Soundboard magazine writes that Avers’ and Alberts’ compositions are a “very effective” addition to the duo program.
These pieces include Albert’s “L’ego Land” and “3 Caprices”, and Avers’ “12 Silly Songs for 12 Silly Strings” and “Prelude to Mekanisk.”
Improvisation
Les Frères Méduses have performed structured and free improvisations hundreds of times in concert, either as a stand-alone work (“Noise”) or as a prelude to written work.
“They’re program also features four improvisations which exemplifies the diversity that this duo has to offer and not only proves that they are superb musicians, but that they also share a deep connection with each other and their music.”
- Brad Conroy, Guitar International