GURDJIEFF/DE HARTMANN CONCERT 21 NOVEMBER 2008

The Gurdjieff Foundation in Toronto’s Society for Traditonal Studies
offer a rare opportunity to attend a performance of the music of

Gurdjieff/de Hartmann
with
Charles Ketcham, piano
Casey Sokol, percussion

G. I. Gurdjieff (1866-1949) was a remarkable teacher, writer, composer and choreographer. His teaching, some-times referred to as the ‘Fourth Way’, blends the inner search of eastern and western traditions and speaks directly to the deeper questions facing so many spiritual seekers today.

In collaboration with Thomas de Hartmann (1885-1956), a gifted Russian composer, Gurdjieff created an impressive and inspiring body of music. Charles Ketcham is considered one of its foremost interpreters.

Friday, November 21st
8 pm at Glenn Gould Studio
CBC Building, 250 Front St W
$25/$15 students, available at the door
An open discussion follows concert.

Tickets available at:
Roy Thomson ticket office
416-872-4255
http://www.roythomson.com

Charles Ketcham

Charles Ketcham has conducted many of the major orchestras in the United States, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, The Denver Symphony and the Portland Symphony. He has held the positions of Resident conductor with the Utah Symphony and the San Diego Symphony as well as Music Director of the San Diego Master Chorale and Principle Conductor of Ballet West. He has also served as principle guest conductor of the Utah Opera.

In 1963, Mr. Ketcham, studied conducting with Eric Leinsdorf at the Tanglewood Institute. In 1969, a Fullbright Fellowship enabled Mr. Ketcham to study in Vienna with the renowned Wolfgang Sawallisch and at the Sienna Academy with the legendary Franco Ferrara. During that period, he also served as Music Director of the American Opera Workshop in Vienna. Mr. Ketcham was subsequently appointed Associate Conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducting tours throughout Portugal, Spain and Africa.

Mr. Ketcham has conducted orchestras in France (the Radio orchestra of Lille), Italy, Holland, and Denmark (Alborg). His most recent appearances have been with world-renowned Philharmonia of London, the Russian National Orchestra at Tschaikowsky Hall in Moscow, the Park City International Music Festival, the Julliard Orchestra, and the Munich Symphony Orchestra where he made recordings for several episodes of the “Indiana Jones” film series

After his appearance with the Symphony of the New World at Carnegie Hall the New York Times reported:

One of the sternest challenges in the symphonic repertory, Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony … was a superior effort by all … A healthy share of the credit should go to the guest conductor, Charles Ketcham”.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said of his Pittsburgh Symphony appearance:

“Ketcham’s best work was in Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite’. Everything was very much in place. He provided a stable underlying pulse, clear entrances throughout, a strong crescendo of energy in ‘The Infernal Dance’. and a sense of poetry in the ‘Lullaby’.

After leading the Philharmonia orchestra of London in the World premier of Gordon Getty’s Opera Plump Jack, The London Times wrote:

“… polished playing by the Philharmonia under Charles Ketcham.”.

Contra Costa Times reported: Russian Orchestra does a masterful Tchaikovsky…

“…the glowing highlight of the Russian National Orchestra’s concert led by guest conductor Charles Ketcham. Ketcham shaped the second movement scherzo with a deft, elegant hand. Yet it was in the third movement’s boisterous march that the conductor galvanized the performance, with each orchestral voice dynamically focused and forcefully articulated. The solemn Finale was devastating … Ketcham also led stirring performances of works by Pletnev, Gordon Getty and John Adams.”

Mr. Ketcham has recorded for RCA Red Label, Pro Arte and Varase Saraband.

Today Mr. Ketcham is considered one to the leading interpreters of the Gurdjieff / de Hartmann Music. Along with Linda Daniel Spitz and Laurence Rosenthal, Mr. Ketcham has edited the definitive edition of the Complete Gurdjieff / de Hartman Piano Music and together recorded the complete works for the German Recording label, Wergo Schallplatten.

Contact e-mail: contact@gurdjieff-foundation-toronto.org | tel:416-485- 7908