Rubbing Stone Ensemble: The Lethbridge Sessions

The Rubbing Stone Ensemble wished itself into existence early in the summer of 2007 with the help of musician Jeremy Brown and composer David Eagle. The emblematic title, Rubbing Stone Ensemble was inspired by a large glacial erratic on the side of Nose Hill Park in northwest Calgary. The beautiful big rock has gracefully presiding over the Calgary region for many centuries and known to native people of the region. It was a place for bison to rub their fur coats, creating smoothed stone surfaces that survive to this day.

Such powerful places inspire us to give back, to create, and offer thanks. In the last six years, the Rubbing Stone Ensemble has commissioned numerous new works by Canadian composers, all performed by a collective of Calgary musicians dedicated to the performance of new music. This recording is a summary of the first few years of the Rubbing Stone Ensemble, steeped in the culture of south Alberta and inspired by this fresh place. Nonetheless, the music is also from far beyond this place, for most of us that live here are from other places. This recording is about that duality.

Works
1. ALAIN PERRON Cycle 4 (2010) 10:53

2. DAVID EAGLE Resound – Soundplay5 (2006) 4:26

3. LAURIE RADFORD Infolding (2010) 11:49

4. ARLAN N. SCHULTZ Ikos: kun tu ‘bar ba (2009-10) 19:21

5. SHELLEY MARWOOD Merge (2008) 6:10

6. ANTHONY TAN UnRavel (2008) 8:12

7. NOVA PON Wayfaring (2011) 13:04

TT: 73:55

PERFORMERS:
The Rubbing Stone Ensemble

REVIEWS:

“The Lethbridge Sessions is a highly satisfying CD: beautifully paced, eclectic but coherent, with impeccable playing by these Calgary musicians. This is a fine collection of new Canadian chamber music, and also a great resource for those interested in contemporary music for saxophone. Here’s to many more six-year anniversary releases!” – Cecilia Livingston, Notations

“As a debut recording, the Rubbing Stone Ensemble’s Lethbridge Sessions sets the bar high on both the repertoire and performance fronts. We can look forward with anticipation to the pleasant surprises their next recording will bring.”Timothy Maloney, CAML Review