Grigoryan Brothers
Guitar
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Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, guitar
Described by The West Australian as “Australia’s finest classical guitar duo…an astonishing display of acoustic pyrotechnics…” and hailed by The New York Times as playing with “…uncommon originality and authority…musicality, expressivity and daring…” Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation. The duo has developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz, and contemporary music from around the world.
Their 2022/2023 season commenced with the Grigoryan brothers undertaking a tour of regional Australia, promoting their most recent album, This Is Us – A Musical Reflection of Australia. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of Australia, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have been inspired by a collection of iconic Australian artefacts to create this unique original recording. Offering a fresh new perspective of the duo, it is the first full record of original compositions, incorporating all their influences from classical to jazz and contemporary music. In May 2022, the Brothers will undertake a tour in the USA. Notably performing a recital with the Rocky River Chamber Music Society, Ohio, and at The Morgan Library, New York, the repertoire will include the US premiere of ‘New Work’ by Leo Brouwer.
The Grigoryan Brothers are the recipients of 3 ARIA awards (Australian Recording Industry Association) and an incredible 24 ARIA Award nominations. As a duo they have recorded over 12 albums with their newest recording, This is Us — A Musical Reflection of Australia, released in 2021 with ABC Classics.
They have been touring internationally since 2003, regularly performing throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA, as well as in Brazil, South Africa, India and the Middle East. Notable appearances include performing alongside the Canadian singer/songwriter KD Lang on her Ingénue Redux and the great Flamenco guitarist Paco Peña.
Slava and Leonard Grigoryan’s deep appreciation of a broad spectrum of musical styles has resulted in many collaborations involving music, both written and improvised. Combine this with their classical training and the result is a unique sound incorporating all these influences. Their diverse repertoire continues to present new opportunities for performances in traditional and unconventional settings, from projects with orchestras to duo performances in iconic classical venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall and Vienna’s Konzerthaus. Their ability to perform in disparate genres has resulted in invitations from arts festivals, jazz festivals, folk festivals and Womad, as well as performing in more intimate spaces such as clubs and salons.
“The Grigoryan Brothers have a reputation of performing together so emphatically, they become extensions of each other…” (Courier Mail). Slava and Leonard are blessed with an uncanny ability to perform so seamlessly as a duo that they play and ‘breath’ as one. Growing up and performing together does not guarantee a symbiotic relationship, but what does create the perfect storm is the mutual respect and admiration the brothers have for each other. This is the intangible quality that creates their ability to connect with listener.
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THE GRIGORYAN BROTHERS RETURN FOR A GUITAR SHOW WHICH EXPLORES ALL GENRES
Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are considered two of the world’s foremost classical guitarists, touring and recording around the globe as both solo artists and as an award winning duo.The pair have developed a reputation for enthralling audiences with the energy of their performances and the breadth of their repertoire – embracing genres such as classical, jazz and contemporary music from around the world.
– Alex Crowe, Central Western DailyGRIGORYAN BROTHERS MAKE THEIR GUITARS SING WITH MANY VOICES
“But perhaps the highlight of the night was their superb performance of Nigel Westlake’s Song from the Forest, originally composed for homegrown guitar great John Williams and Timothy Kain — a mantle from two masters of their instruments worthily passed on to this exciting duo from the new generation.
– Steve Moffatt, The Daily TelegraphTHIS TIME
“The majority of the works on this album have been written, or re-worked specifically for the duo. This revering by the composers for the performers and vice versa is elucidated powerfully in the musicianship throughout and is what makes it a stand-out…I continue to find new joy, new adventures in this album with each fresh listening.”
– Mandy Stefanakis, The Music TrustEXCEPTIONAL GUITAR DUO THE GRIGORYAN BROTHERS JUST CONTINUE TO AMAZE
“The brothers’ ensemble playing — the precision and energy — is highlighted on the Mosstrooper Peak section itself, with intricate passages played in close harmony. Nara Inlet is more elegiac while Butterfly Bay contains all the tenderness and grief a father feels for a lost child.”
– Steve Moffatt, The Daily Telegraph -
SAMPLE PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach: Arioso from Cantata BWV 156
George Frederick Handel: Keyboard Suite No. 2, HWV 452
Enrique Granados: Valses Poéticos
Radames Gnattali: Selections from Suite Retratos***
Leo Brouwer: Blue Mountains *commissioned for the brothers
(b. 1939)
Leonard and Slava Grigoryan: Selections from the ‘This is Us’
Paco Peña: Mantilla y Peina
Fransisco Tarrega: Recuedos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra)