Concert Review: David Leisner - Calgary Society of Classical Guitar

SE Guitar Congress, David Leisner 03 (Photo credit: Larry Miller)

April 20, 2013 - Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB

We attended the concert of classical guitarist David Leisner as a last minute thing to do on a Saturday night. And what an event to attend!

Amazingly, David treated and rehabilitated himself and others from a focal dystonia, which is normally devastating to the abilities of a musician, especially a guitarist or pianist. 

David lives up to the bill of some of the descriptions of his exceptional talent:

"DAVID LEISNER is an extraordinarily versatile musician with a multi-faceted career as an electrifying performing artist, a distinguished composer, and a master teacher."

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“Among the finest guitarists of all time”, according to American Record Guide"

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"Mr. Leisner has also become a highly respected composer noted for the emotional and dramatic power of his music. Fanfare magazine described it as “rich in invention and melody, emotionally direct, and beautiful”. Guitar Review wrote, “Not many composers manage to be equally satisfying to the hands, the ear and the mind as Leisner has.”

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David plays a John Gilbert guitar and uses D'Addario Strings exclusively.

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David Leisner Performs Bach 

The Playlist:

1. Lute Suite in a minor, BVW 997 - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) arr. D. Leisner

• Preluse
• Fugue
• Sarabande (my wife's favourite)
• Gigue
• Double (my favourite in this suite)

2. Labyrinths (2007) - D. Leisner (b. 1953)

- Leisner described his inspiration as the quiet and stillness in nature, but the intricacies that you see the longer you observe this stillness.

- I could see this as a theme in a Quintin Tarantino movie.  

• Shimmer
• Shadow
• Shiver
• Shatter
• Shelter

3. Felicidade - Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) arr. Roland Dyens; ed. D. Leisner

- lively Spanish flamenco style

4. Nocturnal, op. 70 (1963) - Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

• Musingly
• Very agitated
• Restless
• UneasyMarch-like
• Dreaming
• Gently rocking
• Passsacaglia
• Slow and quiet (Theme)

5. Three Etudes (1928) - Heitor Villa-Lobos

• No. 7 in E major
• No. 8 in c# minor
• No. 12 in a minor

Encore performance

6. Tarantella - Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856)

"He (Leisner) was also a pioneer in the rediscovery of Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856), whose music he recorded on The Viennese Guitar (Titanic) and edited for publication by the Theodore Presser Company, as well as Wenzeslaus Matiegka (1773-1830), whose music he recorded on an Azica CD to be released in the early fall of 2008."

*What a way to end of this night. A beautifully played, emotionally charged rendition of a lesser revered classical guitarist - JK Mertz. 

Brilliant performance!

His website: http://www.davidleisner.com/ 

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Lake Louise Hiking: Lake Agnes Trail

Lake Louise - Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Lake Agnes near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada. Mount Whyte (2,983 m) is the peak at top centre. The tip of Mount Niblock (2,976 m) can be seen at the top right. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lake Agnes Trail:

Our hike yesterday was another unbelievable experience. While we could have done without the traffic on Highway 1, the lineup of vehicles at the entry way to Banff National Park and then the copious amounts of tourists and locals at Lake Louise itself. We did manage to find a parking place at a lot down the hill leading to the Chateau Lake Louise and then commenced an absolutely brilliant day.

We finished it off with a short sideline trip into Banff on the way back with supper at Eddie Burger.

High tea amid high peaks

Length: 3.5 km (2.2 mi) one way
Elevation gain: 400 m (1,300 ft)
Walking time: 1 to 1.5 hours one way
Starting point: In front of the Chateau Lake Louise
Origin of the name: Lady Susan Agnes MacDonald, wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister

"Lake Agnes is hidden in a hanging valley high above Lake Louise. In addition to its own charms, which include a teahouse, the two Beehives provide breathtaking views of Lake Louise and a broad stretch of the Bow Valley.

As you walk along the shoreline of Lake Louise, the trail to Lake Agnes branches right just beyond the hotel, then climbs steadily through dense subalpine forest. After 1.7 kilometres (1.1 miles), the first switchback marks a break in the trees where you have a clear view down to the pale turquoise water of Lake Louise. Another one kilometre (0.6 miles) of forest-enclosedclimbing brings you to Mirror Lake, a tiny lake with dark, layered cliffs of the Big Beehive looming above."

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We also took up the option of Little Beehive for some spectacular extra views and much less trail traffic.

Options: "The most popular short hike beyond Lake Agnes is to Little Beehive,which provides an excellent panorama of the Bow River stretching from the mountains near its headwaters to surrounding peaks around the town of Banff to the south. Between Lake Agnes and Little Beehive are a number of rocky viewpoints overlooking Lake Louise, the hanging valley containing Lake Agnes, and Mount Aberdeen and the glacier-crowned peaks of Mounts Lefroy and Victoria. This 0.9-kilometre (0.6-mile) trail branches uphill from the shore of Lake Agnes just beyond the teahouse."

For more info:

http://www.summerthought.com/banff.hiking.lake.agnes.htm

http://www.lakeagnesteahouse.com/

The Biking Trek To And Fro Work Commences

Commenced my biking commute to and fro work today.

Didn't time myself today, but it's about a 40-45 minute ride each way.

Starting weight: approximately 80 kg.

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Aside: This pass Saturday was an absolute gorgeous day in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Simo and I skied Meadow, Amos and Wheeler trails. Some icy patches, but another beautiful day skiing, perhaps our last of the this season.

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