Folias Bios

Folias Summary of Projects and Works

Commercial CD Releases	Waterway (2008, BGR 175) • This CD features all of the music Folias has written about water. It will include their Lake Superior Suite, Gauntlet of Death (a piece about rivers in the Northwestern United States), and works about their Artists In Residence stay on Isle Royale. Marufo Vega (2006, BGR 135) • A CD that features a world premier recording of the Big Bend National Park inspired Despoblado Suite, original versions of Argentine tangos, and two new arrangements of works by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Joining Folias on their Argentine tango arrangements are Amol Khanapurkar on tablas, Paul Nolen on saxophone, and Blue Griffin Recording producer, Sergei Kvitko, on pipe organ. Tangos Metamorphoses (2004, BGR 111) • This was Folias' debut CD. The collection of music features Astor Piazzolla's History of Tango, a piece for flute and guitar that remains a standard in the classical world; Andrew Bergeron's piece, Three Metamorphoses, an improvisational work originally for voice and guitar that is here arranged for flute and guitar; Folias' arrangements of standard Argentine tango; and, a version for guitar and alto flute of the famous waltz Alfonsina y el Mar.
Forthcoming CD Releases	Folias Latin Dance Project (White Pine Label release for Fall 2008) • The CD features all original works and arrangements by Carmen Maret, Andrew Bergeron and percussionist/composer Scott Harding for two flutes, guitar, and percussion.
Collaborative Compositions	Walkabout Sparrow • This was a work written and performed by Folias during their 2007 Artists In Residence Stay on Isle Royale. The work uses the bird call of the white throated sparrow as a point of departure. Lake Superior Suite (2006) 1. Approaching the Wolf’s Head 2. Calm to Storm 3. Spring: Lettuce Grow 4. Summer: Wedding Dance 5. Fall: Grape Stomp 6. Winter: Waltz 7. Waves and Waterfalls 8. Birth to Creation • A concert length (45 minute) piece that was featured on Folias’ 2006 Lake Superior tour, an international benefit concert series to raise funds for the Great Lakes Division of the Nature Conservancy. The tour performances took place in cities all the way around Lake Superior. Despoblado Suite (2005) 1. Desert Rain 2. Marufo Vega 3. And the Cacti Go Wild! • This piece was inspired by personal backpacking experiences in Big Bend National Park. It was featured on the 2006 CD release Marufo Vega. Three Metamorphoses (2003) 1. The Camel 2. The Lion 3. The Child • Originally a voice and guitar piece by Andrew Bergeron that Folias later adapted for flute and guitar, this was a feature piece on the 2004 CD release Tangos Metamorphoses. Tao (2003) • A voice and guitar piece by Andrew Bergeron adapted for flute and guitar by Folias. It was another piece featured on the 2004 CD release Tangos Metamorphoses.
Individual Compositions	Fog Break (2007) • A work written by Andrew Bergeron on Isle Royale July 2007 that was inspired by fog on the island. Premiered on Isle Royale at part of an Artists In Residence Concert High Tide (2002/2007) • A work originally written for solo guitar by Andrew Bergeron in 2002 that was patterned after a work by Maurice Ravel. This was adapted for flute and guitar on Isle Royale. Premiered on Isle Royale as part of an Artists In Residence concert. Alpha's Last Dance (2007) • A work for alto flute and guitar written by Carmen Maret inspired by the wolves on Isle Royale. Premiered on Isle Royale as part of an Artists In Residence concert. Nineteen Knots (2007) • A solo piccolo work written by Carmen Maret inspired by the wind patterns on Isle Royale. Premiered on Isle Royale as part of an Artists In Residence concert.
Original Arrangements	Milonga del angel (Astor Piazzolla) • An arrangement for flute, guitar, strings, and vibes by Andrew Bergeron for two Folias performances with the Alma Symphony, February 17 and 18, 2007. Soledad (Astor Piazzolla) • An arrangement for flute, guitar, and organ by Andrew Bergeron featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006). Milonga en re (Astor Piazzolla) • An arrangement for alto flute and guitar by Andrew Bergeron featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006). Etude No. 1 (Heitor Villa-Lobos) • Arranged for flute, guitar, and the tablas (East Indian drums), featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006) Quejas de bandoneon (Juan Filiberto) • An arrangement by Folias of a traditional Argentine tango for flute, alto saxophone, guitar, and tablas(East Indian drums), featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006) Milonga de mis amores (Pedro Laurenz) • A traditional Argentine milonga arranged by Folias for piccolo, tablas (East Indian drums) and guitar featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006) Oblivion (Astor Piazzolla) • Arranged for alto flute, soprano saxophone, and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006) Corazon de oro (Francisco Canaro) • An arrangement for flute, soprano saxophone, and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Marufo Vega (2006) Danzarin (Julian Plaza) • Arrangement for flute and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Tangos Metamorphoses (2004) Nocturna (Julian Plaza) • Arrangement for flute and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Tangos Metamorphoses (2004) Nueve de Julio (Jose Padula) • Arrangement for flute and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Tangos Metamorphoses (2004) Alfonsina y el mar (Ariel Ramirez) • Arrangement for alto flute and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Tangos Metamorphoses. Cuando Llora la milonga (Juan Filiberto) • Arrangement for flute and guitar by Folias featured on Folias’ CD Tangos Metamorphoses (2004)
United States Tours and Projects	Isle Royale National Park Artists In Residence (July 24- August 11 2007) • Folias gave three concerts on Isle Royale as part of their residency and premiered five new works that were written during the residency: High Tide, flute and guitar; Walkabout Sparrow, flute and guitar; Nineteen Knots, solo piccolo; Fog Break, flute and guitar; Alpha’s Last Dance, alto flute and guitar. Trio Folias Tango Tour (June 2007) • June 1-31, 2007 Combines Folias with bandoneón (an accordion-like tango instrument) player Avik Basu (Ann Arbor) for performances in tango communities throughout the United States. • Tour Performances In this Order : Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Boulder, CO; Albuquerque, NM; San Diego, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Boise, ID; Eugene, OR; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Minneapolis, MN; Madison, WI; Cincinnati, OH. Lake Superior Tour: A Concert Series to Benefit the Great Lakes Division of the Nature Conservancy (June 2006) • Excerpt from the program notes: “Andrew and I decided to write the Lake Superior Suite in August 2005 after our third summer performing and exploring along the south shore of Lake Superior. We wanted to write a work together that would not only reflect the natural areas in and around Lake Superior, but would be a fundraiser to raise awareness about one of the most valuable resources of the 21st century: water.“ In addition to distributing Nature Conservancy Great Lakes literature at their concerts, Folias raised $600 which was donated directly to the Nature Conservancy Great Lakes program. • Performance Itinerary: Grand Rapids, MI; Lansing, MI; Isle Royale National Park; Grand Marais, MN; Duluth, MN; Thunder Bay, ON; Rossport, ON; Pic River First Nation, ON; Mackinac Island, MI. Concerts in the Great Lakes Region (Summer 2005) • Concerts featured Folias’ Depsoblado Suite for flute, alto flute, piccolo, and guitar, and original tango arrangements. • Performances in: Mohawk, MI; Duluth, MN; Grand Marais, MI; Madison, WI; Mackinac Island, MI. American Travels: An Evening of North and South American Music for Flute and Guitar (Summer 2004) • A concert series that featured original compositions and arrangements by Folias of tangos and other American folk music. The program also included the work Between Friends, written by North American composer, Murray Gross, for Folias. • Performances in: Holland, MI; Mackinac Island, MI; Marquette, MI; Copper Harbor, MI; Houghton, MI; Munster, IN; Seward, NE; Boise, ID. Concerts Throughout the U.S. (Summer 2003) • Concerts of original music and tango arrangements including Three Metamorphoses. • Performances in: East Lansing, MI; Holland, MI; Pleasant Dale, NE; Boise, ID; Twin Falls, ID.
Recital Appearances	August 26 2007, Fennvalley Vineyards, Fennville, MI Sunday Afternoon Concert Series in the Gardens • Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public that takes place every August at Fennvalley Vineyards. July 15, 2007, St. Anne's Church, Mackinac Island, MI Sunday Afternoon Concert Series • Tango Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public sponsored by the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. March 19 2007, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI Folias Latin Dance Project • Folias combined with flutist Tess Miller and percussionist/composer Scott Harding for a series of concerts featuring original compositions and arrangements of music from South America including Andrew Bergeron’s arrangement of the Four Seasons by Piazzolla for 2 flutes, guitar, and percussion, and Scott Harding’s piece Tango Fantasy which was composed for the project. March 4 2007, First Presbyterian Church, Lansing, MI First Presbyterian Blue Griffin Recording Musical Arts Series • Folias was asked to perform for the 2006-2007 musical arts series in Lansing that is co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church and Blue Griffin Recording. • The concert featured Folias’ Lake Superior Suite, the Despoblado Suite, and Argentine tango arrangements. February 26 2007, Albion College, Albion, MI Folias Latin Dance Project • Folias combined with flutist Tess Miller and percussionist/composer Scott Harding for a series of concerts featuring original compositions and arrangements of music from South America including Andrew Bergeron’s arrangement of the Four Seasons by Piazzolla for 2 flutes, guitar, and percussion, and Scott Harding’s piece Tango Fantasy which was composed for the project. February 17 and 18 2007, Alma College, Alma, MI Performances with the Alma Symphony • Folias performd Andrew Bergeron’s arrangement of Milonga del angel by Astor Piazzolla for flute, guitar, strings, and vibes. The will also be featured as a duo on the concert for their arrangement of Milonga de mis amores by Pedro Laurez. September 8 2006, St. Cecilia Music Society, Grand Rapids, MI World Music Café • Folias was invited to perform tango music with dancers from the Grand Rapids Tango Community for St. Cecilia Music Society’s annual kick-off event. August 27 2006, Fennvalley Vineyards, Fennville, MI Sunday Afternoon Concert Series in the Gardens • Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public that takes place every August at Fennvalley Vineyards. August 20 2006, St. Anne's Church, Mackinac Island, MI Sunday Afternoon Concert Series • Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public sponsored by the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. May 12 2006, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI World Premier of Folias’ Lake Superior Suite • Folias gave a first performance of this concert-length work August 7, 2005, Campbell Street Art Gallery, Grand Marais, MI Sunday Afternoon Concert Series • A series hosted by artist Maeve Croghan. The concert featured Folias’ work Despoblado Suite, South American concert music by Astor Piazzolla and Marco Granado, and original Argentine tango arrangements by Folias. March 16, 2005, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Latin American Music Series • Folias was asked to perform for an ongoing series sponsored in part by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the School of Music at Michigan State University. • The concert included Folias’ piece Marufo Vega, original tango arrangements, and modern classical compositions by Latin American composers: Sergio Assad, Roberto Sierra, and Robert Xavier Rodriquez. February 26, 2005, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI Benefit Concert to Aid Victims of the Tsunami Disaster • Folias gave a benefit concert at a local church a few months after the 2004 tsunami disaster in East Asia. The concert raised $700 which was sent to the ELCA International Disaster Response. • The concert featured original tango arrangements, Andrew Bergeron piece Ritual for flute, alto flute, piccolo, and guitar, American composer Robert Beasear’s Mountain Songs, and Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s piece Il Lamento di Tristano. August 2005, Fennvalley Vineyards, Fennville, MI Concert Series in the Gardens • Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public that takes place every August at Fennvalley Vineyards. November 11, 2004, Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI International Guitar Series • Folias was invited to perform on the ongoing series sponsored by the music department at Grand Rapids Community College • The concert featured original tango arrangements, Andrew Bergeron piece Ritual for flute, alto flute, piccolo, and guitar, American composer Robert Beasear’s Mountain Songs, and Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s piece Il Lamento di Tristano. August 2004, Fennvalley Vineyards, Fennville, MI Concert Series in the Gardens • Folias was invited to perform for the concert series open to the public that takes place every August at Fennvalley Vineyards. November 7, 2003, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Public Recital • A multi-cultural recital program of works that premiered Ritual, Andrew Bergeron’s work for flute, alto flute, piccolo and guitar, Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu’s piece Toward the Sea, an original transcription by Andrew Bergeron of Descriptions automatiques by French composer Eric Satie, American composer Robert Beasear’s Mountain Songs, and East Indian composer Ravi Shankar’s piece L’aube Enchantee en Sur Le Raga Todi’ for flute and guitar.
Tango Event Performances	July 14 , Gallerie Medici, hosted by Cindy Carlton Traverse City, MI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance). March 18, 2007, Tango Masterclass and Workshop Sponsored by Flute Boutique, Grand Rapids, MI • An all day event featuring tango music coaching for instrumentalists in the Grand Rapids area. February 23, 2007,Tango Nuestro Chicago, IL • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) January 19, 2006, The Grand Grand Haven, MI • Performance of live tango music with Tango Folias, a group that combines Folias with violinist Debbie Crosser and guitarist Dean Windemuller January 13, 2007, A2 Tango Ann Arbor, MI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) December 8, 2006, Madison Argentine Tango Society Madison, WI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) December 1, 2006, Casa de Tango Chicago, IL • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) November 17, 2006, Alegria Tango House North Ridgefield, OH • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) September 29, 2006, Sharon’s Dance Studio Kalamazoo, MI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) July 28, 2006, Eugene Tango Center Eugene, OR • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) May 20, 2006, Madison Argentine Tango Society Madison, WI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) February 4, 2006, Madison Argentine Tango Society Madison, WI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) December 2, Gallerie Medici, hosted by Cindy Carlton Traverse City, MI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance). July 18 and 19 2005, Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society Pittsburgh, PA • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) and Workshop presentation on the History of Argentine Tango Music. July 1 2005, Alegria Tango House North Ridgefield, OH • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) June 2004, Have Fun Dancing Studio Bozeman, MT •Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) June 2004, Tango Berretín Portland, OR • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) June 2004, Eugene Tango Center Eugene, OR • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) October 9 2004, Alegria Tango House North Ridgefield, OH • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) November 6, 2004, Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society Pittsburgh, PA • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) December 22, 2003, Sur Tango Bar Lincoln, NE • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance) March 30, 2003, Michigan Argentine Tango Club Ann Arbor, MI • Performance for a Milonga (social tango dance)