Zeester (Ave Maris Stella in a slightly different version, cello solo)

A soundscape of Japanese flute music for the upcoming exhibition of Philo Ouweleen's art at Galerie De Stoker.

Inspired by Ouweleen's intimate and narrative work, the soundscape features almost 40 different types of flutes that engage in a dialogue with her art. 

Discover the versatility of paper art and the stories behind Philo Ouweleen's captivating work in her retrospective exhibition (2018-2023). Ouweleen's varied selection of art pieces ranging from large paintings to small drawings that depict Japanese stories and memories will be on display. Visitors can also look forward to viewing her new, imaginative, and playful collages and previously unseen works. The exhibition will open on Saturday, May 13, with an art lottery, Japanese music, and more.

Ouweleen's experimentation with different drawing and painting techniques on paper such as gouache, watercolor, Japanese markers, and colored pencils reflect her interest in Japan as an endless source of inspiration. In addition to Japan-inspired art, visitors can enjoy never-before-seen pieces such as the Intimacy series. The series of small watercolor paintings represent feelings of intimacy and affection through physical touch and body language. The exhibition also features colorful collages with young women as the central figures, which for Ouweleen, represents an associative and playful way of working using her drawings, sketches, and photos. The collages' frames also include objet trouvés that Ouweleen has collected over the years from thrift stores and second-hand shops.

More information via https://www.philoouweleen.com/

Soundscape for Philo

Fernando Sor (born in Barcelona in 1778) is considered one of the first important composers of guitar music. 

He spent most of his life in Paris, where he became friends with many musicians and became known for his composing skills. Among the musicians was the Spanish guitarist Dionisio Aguado (1784-1849), who stayed in Paris from 1825 to 1838, and with whom Sor became very good friends. Sor composed a guitar duet for both of them (Op.41, Les Deux Amis (the two friends) in which one part is marked "Sor" and the other "Aguado"). 

Sor gained a reputation for his virtuosity on the guitar with his performances in the salons. From time to time he began to travel through Europe, and due to his increasing fame he turned the guitar into a concert instrument. From 1815 to 1823 Sor resided in London where he found recognition as an opera and ballet composer.

In 1823, Sor travelled to Moscow, where he frequently performed for noble circles, including the Tsar's mother. After the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I (1824) he composed his death march. He also composed various ballets, such as the ballet Hercules and Omphaly, which was premiered on the occasion of the coronation of Tsar Nicholas I. With the ballet Cinderella of Sor, the Bolshoi Theatre was inaugurated in 1825. Felicité Hullin, the primaballerina of the theatre, was his wife. 

Sor died in Paris in 1839. Although he is still considered one of the classical composers, Sor's style is mainly characterized by the use of a for the time quite advanced guitar language. This Etude (or: Study) Op.60, No.1 in C Major is an easy, charming and relaxing piece for classical guitar.

#HomeStrung - Étude opus 60 no 1 by Fernando Sor(1778-1839)

Dionisio Aguado y García (8 April 1784 – 29 December 1849) was a Spanish classical guitarist and composer of the late Classical and early Romantic periods.

#HomeStrung - Étude in a minor by Dionisio Aguado(1784-1849)

From the collection of 26 etudes. Naked guitar. Stay at home. Corona recordings. #homestrung

#homestrung - Étude #7 by Dionisio Aguado (1784-1849)

Matteo Carcassi (1792 – 16 January 1853) was an Italian guitarist and composer. Carcassi was born in Florence, Italy, and first studied the piano, but learned guitar when still a child. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso concert guitarist.

He moved to Germany in 1810, gaining almost immediate success. In 1815, he was living in Paris, earning his living as a teacher of both the piano and the guitar. On a concert tour in Germany in 1819, he met his friend Antoine Meissonnier for the first time. Also a famous guitarist, Meissonnier published many of Carcassi's works in his Paris publishing house. For Meissonnier he also arranged a number of popular songs for guitar that were originally written for piano, including works by Théodore Labarre and Loïsa Puget.

From 1820 on, Carcassi spent the majority of his time in Paris. In 1823, he performed an extremely successful series of concerts in London that earned him great fame, both as a performing artist and as a teacher. However, in Paris, a long time passed before his talents were truly recognized, partly because of the presence of Ferdinando Carulli.

Carcassi was in Germany again during autumn 1824. Afterwards he performed in London, where his reputation now gave him access to more prestigious concert halls. Finally he returned to Paris. For several years, he made concert trips from here to the most important cultural towns of Europe, including London. After a short return to performing in 1836, he quit his concert practice around 1840 and died in Paris in 1853. Carcassi wrote a method for guitar (op. 59), first published with Schott in Mainz, in 1836. It is still valuable, relevant and interesting. His most famous works are collected in his 25 Etudes op. 60. In these, he managed to blend technical skills and brilliant romantic music. This "Melodie" is the 16th piece in this collection of Etudes.

Martine Mussies