Edmonton - Canada 

The University of Alberta's "Music at Convocation Hall" series presents eminent French guitarist Philippe Bertaud on Friday, November 7th. A virtuoso of the contemporary and traditional guitar, he has a very engaging presentation, speaking to his audience about each piece, often with a tale from his numerous world travels. Bertaud will perform Gymnopdie No. 1 by Erik Satie, Prelude No. 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Choros No. 1 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Muerte del Angel by Astor Piazzola, Verano Portezo by Astor Piazzola, Joana Francesa by Chico Buarque, Latine by Philippe Bertaud, Marie Galante by Philippe Bertaud, Torre Bermeja by Isaac Albeniz, Campo by Abel Carlevaro, Saudade by Roland Dyens, Prelude et Danse by Antonio Lauro, Neige de Printemps by Philippe Bertaud, Je vous ecris d'un pays lointain by Philippe Bertaud, Variations sur un theme de Haendel by Mauro Giuliani, and " Berimbau " Improvisation sur un theme de Baden Powell. The concert is held at Convocation Hall on the University of Alberta campus, with a pre-concert introduction at 7:15 p.m. and concert at 8:00 p.m.

French guitarist Philippe Bertaud is a virtuoso of the contemporary and traditional guitar, but also a citizen of the world, whose joy in life and taste for travel show through in the music he interprets, improvises and composes. He speaks to his audience, presenting each piece with an anecdote or a piece of history, like a travel souvenir of South America, Asia or a beach on the Coast d'Azur. He introduces them to the techniques and the inspirations of the great Brazilian composer Heiter Villa-Lobos. They travel with him through history and the traditions of the countries that he has visited. They may also come across a more recalcitrant sound with the contemporary music of Cuban composer Leo Brouwer, who now makes his home in Martinique.

Growing up in the French countryside, no-one would have predicted that Philippe Bertaud would become a musician. He only picked up the guitar by chance as a 14-year-old while he was learning to become a shepherd! Fascinated, he entered the National Conservatory of Nice to study jazz and classical guitar, and also learned harmony and composition from resident composer, Jacques Charpentier.

At 16 he started giving solo recitals of classical transcriptions by Bach, Mozart and Scarlatti, but his curiosity led him to explore rock, jazz, ethnic and contemporary music, and even to compose. In 1990, inspired by travels in Asia, Philippe Bertaud began developing his own musical language. It was the birth of a new style, using a wide array of music elements from around the world. His ability to improvise has expanded the sonic potential of his instrument and he now plays with equal ease in the idioms of Georg Friedrich Handel to Jimmy Hendrix through Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. This freedom shows in the variety of performances that he organizes, such as duos with the Brazilian singer Denise Da Costa Pinaud, concert happenings with the Chinese water-colourist Fu Jitsang and collaboration with the techno-hardcore group Ze Maria.

He has released six compact disc recordings: "Le Sud", "Recital", "Je vous ecris d'un pays lointain", "Le Chant d'Ossanha, "Imaginary Travel" and his latest, "Mistura da Bossa." He has performed in international music festivals in Europe and North America.

Music found him, and airy, lyrical and redolent of his Mediterranean home, the music of this Nicean guitarist travels well. Bertaud takes inspiration from his well-thumbed passport, expressing in his fine playing an understanding of the inter-relationship between cultures as diverse as the Cute d'Azur, the Orient, Eastern Europe and Brazil. A travelling guitarist, a citizen of the world, Philippe Bertaud is truly un artiste sans front'Pres.

Concert begins at 8:00 p.m. with a pre-concert introduction at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $15 adults and $10 for seniors/students; Tickets available at Tix on the Square or at the door.