Gerard Satamian Dry Fig Trees Total time: 47:06 Release date: 6/7/2004 Location of artist: British Columbia, Canada This artist has one other album

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Francois Houle, clarinet
Gerard Satamian, piano

This charming album consisting of original compositions by Gerard Satamian was recorded at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). It received a grant from Socan (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada). Here is what the critic of Socan wrote in their monthly magazine about Dry Fig Trees (named after a gorgeous painting by Armenian painter Vartan Tashdjian): "The works featured on this album are clearly of a Middle Eastern flavour, notable for their modal scales and nostalgic mood. His nine 'Chansons sans paroles'are lovingly played by clarinetist François Houle with Gerard Satamian at the piano, while the composer is on his own in two excerpts from his Suite Lyrique. Warm, approachable and innocent music." Words & Music

François Houle (Clarinetist on Dry Fig Trees)
François Houle's energetic performances are bridging the gap between the new music and improvisation. He went to McGill University in Montreal where he received his bachelor of music degree and graduated with a Masters degree from the Yale school of music. He also spent two years in residence at the Banff Centre for the arts. His great interest in contemporary music has led him to perform under the direction of Bruce Mather, Mauricio Kagel, Arthur Weisberg, Toru Takemitsa and Yannis Xenakis, among others.

Since moving to Vancouver in 1990, Houle has established itself as a strong new voice on the Canadian creative music scene. Recent performances include all Western Canadian gas festivals, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, the Festival de Music Actuelle de Victoriaville, new music across America, time flies, and Seattle World Jazz Festival. He has also dedicated much of his time composing for his own critically acclaimed group François Houle Et Cetera.

m3u audio streams (if the flash player above doesn't work for you): [hifi lofi] Play all tracks as an m3u audio stream (or xspf, ogg, mp3 file) [hifi lofi] 01-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Pastorale (3:27) [hifi lofi] 02-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Humoresque (2:27) [hifi lofi] 03-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Romance (3:42) [hifi lofi] 04-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Melodie printaniere (3:44) [hifi lofi] 05-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Berceuse (5:18) [hifi lofi] 06-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Serenade (3:13) [hifi lofi] 07-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Valse-Scherzo (3:28) [hifi lofi] 08-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Elegie (5:57) [hifi lofi] 09-Chansons sans paroles (1989) op. 2 Bolero (3:00) [hifi lofi] 10-Suite Lyrique (1994) op.4 Caprice No.1 (5:47) [hifi lofi] 11-Suite Lyrique (1994) op.4 Orientale No.2 (7:03)