Guitarist Leonard Grigoryan Releases SOLO

Leonard Grigoryan is well-established in the Australian music scene. He has made his name as a collaborator at the highest levels of music making, but with the release of his first solo album, Leonard Grigoryan takes a step to centre stage.

Leonard is best-known as one-half of the guitar duo Grigoryan Brothers. Famously taught from a very early age by their violinist father, Leonard and brother Slava Grigoryan are today revered around the world for their performances and recordings, and together have been nominated for 6 ARIA Awards. He is also a member of contemporary jazz ensemble FGHR, the ambient group Magnolia as well as performing and recording alongside Australia's finest on a variety of projects.

"I recorded 'Solo' at the legendary Rainbow Studio's in Oslo," says Leonard. 'It was truly a privilege to work in this amazing space but also with an engineer who was part of some of the greatest recordings in musical history. I spent two weeks there working on other sessions before I took to the studio by myself. What seemed like it could be daunting and scary was in fact the opposite. I felt totally supported by, and at ease with the great Jan Erik Kongshaug. It was a calm and extremely creatively satisfying experience."

The CD features four pieces composed by Leonard: "Slava and I regularly play my compositions on our tours, so many people know this side of my work. Sarabande and Gigue are the first two solo pieces I composed. They're based on baroque forms and influenced by the Bach Lute Suites. Blues for Ralph is an homage to one of my all-time musical heroes Ralph Towner, whilePossibly Maybe is inspired by the anticipation and excitement of going to Norway to record this album, juxtaposed by the uncertainty of what was to come."

Leonard has also recorded his favourite Ralph Towner piece, The Reluctant Bride: "For a classical guitarist, Towner's work is a link to the world of improvisation."

The remainder of the album is music from South America by Villa-Lobos, Barrios and Gnattali: "While maintaining a classical sensibility, South American music blends contemporary harmonies and rhythms in a way I find inspiring."

"I'm really proud of this album. In a way it's a snapshot of my personal musical life until now and is some indication as to the direction I'm heading as a musician and composer."

LEONARD GRIGORYAN's SOLO CD available from all good music stores and online at www.whichwaymusic.com. Distributed by Fuse Music. www.fusemusic.com.au.

To post a comment, you must register and login.