at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd. (in Upper Ojai)
Ojai, CA 93023 Detailed map and directions
Program Fantasy on a Theme by William Lawes - Slava Grigoryan
None but the Lonely Heart - P. I. Tchaikovsky
Suite No. 2 (HWV 452) - G. F. Händel
Suite for Two Guitars - Ralph Towner Blues for Ralph - Leonard Grigoryan
This Time - Leonard Grigoryan
Songs My Mother Taught Me - A. Dvorák
Suite Retratos - Radamès Gnatalli Sailboat Suite - Slava & Leonard Grigoryan
Grigoryan Brothers make their guitars sing with many voices "But perhaps the highlight of the night was their superb performance of Nigel Westlake’s Song from the Forest, originally composed for homegrown guitar great John Williams and Timothy Kain — a mantle from two masters of their instruments worthily passed on to this exciting duo from the new generation."
— Steve Moffatt, The Daily Telegraph
Songs Without Words: The Grigoryan Brothers "There is something very intimate about a performance with just two musicians, especially when they clearly have such a deep bond. The warm acoustics of the Recital Hall added to the sense of togetherness...It really was a delight to spend a couple of hours in the company of such masterful musicians."
— Diana Carroll, Performing ArtsHub
Guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are considered among the finest musicians of their generation, embracing disparate genres such as classical, jazz, and contemporary music from around the world. Since their first acclaimed Australian tour in 2002, Slava & Leonard Grigoryan have astounded audiences worldwide with their guitar virtuosity. They have toured extensively throughout Australia and overseas: to Europe, the United States, Britain, Asia, South Africa and the Middle East. The brothers also have performed with symphony orchestras and at international festivals in Australia and Europe.
Their 2018-19 season includes performances across Australia with the Sydney Symphony, the Canberra Symphony, and the Melbourne Symphony; and in Britain touring with the Canadian singer-songwriter, k. d. lang. The Grigoryan Brothers’ 2019-20 season includes a highly anticipated tour of the USA, appearing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the Allegro Guitar Society of Dallas, the Fort Worth Classic Guitar Society, the Omni Foundation, and the Nashville Guitar Society.
Regarded as Australia’s finest guitar duo, hailed by the Adelaide Review, "the Grigoryan Brothers’ name is shorthand for a mastery of the guitar". Their repertoire runs the gamut of classical guitar compositions, including the concertos of Joaquín Rodrigo and works by Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Fasch, and Manuel de Falla. In particular, the Grigoryan Brothers’ recording of Rodrigo’s guitar concertos with the Queensland Symphony has earned unanimous acclaim. Cecilia Rodrigo, the only daughter of Joaquín Rodrigo, praised the Grigoryan brothers for "their masterful performance of Concierto madrigal which is so significant in the world of Joaquín Rodrigo’s compositions." The Grigoryan Brothers have a deep appreciation and understanding of a broad spectrum of musical styles. This has resulted in many collaborations involving music, both written and improvised. The brothers have a passion to expand their repertoire through new arrangements, their own compositions, and commissions. Combine this with their classical training and the result is a unique sound incorporating all these influences.
Recently the Grigoryan Brothers have been busy with a variety of projects. In 2018, they composed, arranged, and recorded the soundtrack for the film A Boy Called Sailboat. They also performed the soundtrack live at special screenings of the film across Australia. The Grigoryan Brothers have a close and productive relationship with the Austrian musician, Wolfgang Muthspiel, renowned for his skills as a jazz guitarist. They have been touring with Muthspiel, performing original works by Leonard Grigoryan as well as works by Muthspiel. The Grigoryan Brothers have also recorded an album with another fraternal music duo, the Tawadros brothers, Joseph and James. The album, titled Band of Brothers, is a collaboration between the Grigoryan Brothers and the acclaimed oudist Joseph Tawadros and James Tawadros, a traditional percussionist. The Grigoryan Brothers toured with the Canadian singer-songwriter, k.d. lang, across Australia and North America. They have received four Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards and an incredible twenty-four ARIA award nominations. As a duo they have recorded thirteen albums.
