| Featuring works by Rodrigo, De Falla, Assad, Dyens, Merlin, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and Piazzolla, La Vida Breve, the debut album of American classical guitarists Jack and Elle Davisson on Frameworks/Saphhire Records presents a selection of works from such composers as Assad, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Rodrigo, Dyens, de Falla, Merlin, and Piazzolla. The works, the guitarists write in the CD booklet, “are important examples of their genre and mainstays of classical guitar repertoire. But more than that, they reflect an important part of our musical journey and mean much to us for their contribution to our growth as guitarists. … Though they have been around for years, we find them as relevant and engaging today as ever.”
La Vida Breve
Framework Records
Sérgio ASSAD Jobiniana No. 1 (pour 2 guitars) Jack ׀ Elle
Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO Prélude et fugue No. 4, en Mi majeur (for 2 guitars)
Prelude – Andante mosso Jack
Fugue – Allegretto giocoso (Tempo di bourrée) Jack ׀ Elle
Joaquín RODRIGO Tres Piezas Españolas
Fandango Jack
Passacaglia Jack
Zapateado Jack
Roland DYENS from Hommage à Villa-Lobos
Tuhu Jack
Manuel de FALLA from La Vida Breve
Danza Española No. 1
(arr. Emilio Pujol for 2 guitars) Jack ׀ Elle
José Luis Merlin from Suite del Recuerdo
Evocación Elle
Joropo Elle
Astor Piazzolla from Tango Suite
Tango No. 1 Elle ׀ Jack
Available in Digital format and special limited edition.
The album can be purchased through Frameworks Records here.
About the Davisson Duo
21st century musicians Jack and Elle Davisson’s exceptional artistry, skill and lyricism belie the fact that this brother and sister are just teenagers. Since 2017, their thoughtful phrasing, incredible colors, meticulous technique, and expressive playing have earned them a following across the country. Still in high school, the duo is developing a reputation for fusing well-known war horses with modern compositions, creating intriguing programs that present pieces in a fresh, modern way. As the Davisson Duo, Elle and Jack have appeared multiple times on NPR’s From the Top, NPR Music’s Tiny Desk concert series, and have been featured in numerous publications, including Classical Guitar magazine’s Video Pick of the Week and Sunday Prodigy series. Awarded first place at the 2021 Southern Guitar Festival & Competition, Youth Ensemble Division, and second place at both the 2018 and 2019 Guitar Foundation of America International Ensemble Competitions, Youth Division, the duo has recorded with Guitar Salon International and performed on the Omni Foundation of the Arts concert series, amongst others.
Jack Davisson, 17, studies with Christopher Mallett at the California Conservatory of Music. Among his many recent prizes and first place honors are: the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, Senior Division (2021); the James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition (2021); the Society of American Musicians Competition, Guitar Senior Division (2021); and the YoungArts National Arts Competition, Classical Music Winner (2021). Jack was also a first place prize winner at the Columbus State University Guitar Competition (2018), the Indiana International Guitar Competition (2017), the Boston GuitarFest Competition (2017), the United States International Music Competition (2016), and others.
Elle Davisson, 14, also studies with Christopher Mallett. She is the first place prize winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition, Junior Division (2022), as well as a prizewinner of the James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition (2022), the Southern Guitar Festival Youth Ensemble Competition (2021), the Society of American Musicians Competition (2021), the United States International Music Competition (2018), the Indiana International Guitar Competition (2017), and the Boston GuitarFest Competition (2017), among others.
Strong believers in equal access to music and music education, Jack and Elle have also performed countless benefit concerts in schools, retirement homes, vaccine clinics and other community centers. In addition, they founded two music enrichment programs providing free group guitar classes—at a VA hospital and a center for at-risk youth—and devote much of their free time to teaching.
D’Addario Artists, Jack and Elle play guitars custom built for them by American luthier Glenn Canin. They live in Northern California with their parents and German shepherd Kiche.
The duo can next be heard in Alhambra, California, presented by Fried Music February 18 and 19 in San Jose, California, March 4 in a prelude performance for South Bay Guitar Society, and in Delaware March 25 in concert on the Wilmington Classical Guitar series. davissonduo.com |
