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Dynamic duo

ChromaDuo strums ‘guitar’s expressive range’
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One of North America’s leading guitar duos will perform in Oak Bay as the Victoria Guitar Society presents acclaimed classical guitarists “ChromaDuo.”

The event takes place Saturday, May 14 at Church of the Virgin Mary in Oak Bay (1701 Elgin Road), beginning at 7:30 pm.

ChromaDuo, comprised of Canadians Rob MacDonald and Tracey Ann Smith, is building a unique repertoire of some of today’s most compelling music for two guitars.

Through a commitment to commissioning, recording and performing the works of ground-breaking composers, ChromaDuo has established itself as a leading guitar duo.

Forging relationships with composers such as luminary Roland Dyens, irreverent British powerhouse Stephen Goss, and the brilliant Christopher William Pierce, resulted in their first album, Hidden Waters.

Garrett Schumann, of Sequenza21.com, called the album “one giant, convivial, through-composed exploration of the guitar’s expressive range…”

Their second album with record label Naxos, ChromaDuo plays Debussy and Ravel; it was inspired by their love of French Impressionist masters, and features the duo’s own arrangements of piano and orchestral works.

A Classical Guitar reviewer described it as “a revelation, and a superior achievement…”Their sound is so perfectly blended that I can’t imagine hearing a better ensemble.”

ChromaDuo’s upcoming and recent projects include premiering and recording dedicated works from dynamic Canadian guitarist and composer Dale Kavanagh, Brazilian gem Sergio Assad and legendary Cuban maestro Leo Brouwer.

In demand as performers, pedagogues and adjudicators, they have been guest artists at festivals such as the Guitar Foundation of America, Boston’s Festival 21, the Hamilton International Guitar Festival and Competition, and the International Festival of Guitar Culiacan, Mexico. ChromaDuo has performed in England, across Canada and throughout the United States.

Tickets are $15 to $30, and available at victoriaguitarsociety.ca.