GIG: MGT

PREVIEW BY LACHLAN JOBBINS

On August 12 and 13, The Basement hosts the return of international guitar ensemble MGT, who will be launching their new CD From a Dream.

MGT is a true dream team for guitar enthusiasts, made up of Australian virtuoso Slava Grigoryan, Austrian Wolfgang Muthspiel and US legend and innovator Ralph Towner.

Slava Grigoryan says of the trio, “We all share the classical guitar as a big part of our experience, but each of us has taken it in different directions. What we do separately is incredibly different.” As a group, however, they have created a new voice in the world of guitar ensembles.

“Ralph and I play traditional classical guitar. He’s also a very famous twelve-string player, which is completely different. I alternate between classical guitar and baritone guitar, and Wolfgang has a whole electronic bag of tricks with him. He can produce incredible effects, spacious sonorities and very contemporary sounds.”

“There’s quite a history of guitarists playing together in different genres, but the way this group sounds is very different to other groups. That has a lot to do with the quality of the music itself.” Most of the music is composed by Ralph Towner, whose 30 year career has included composition, performance and recording with jazz ensemble Oregon, as well as with luminaries of the contemporary music scene on the ECM label.

“To be playing Ralph’s music with him is a really nice treat”, says Grigoryan. “He has such a distinctive approach to composition. Once you hear something, you immediately know it is his. Harmonically it’s very much in the contemporary jazz mould, but there are influences from around the world.”

The album From a Dream grew out of material developed during the first MGT tour, three years ago. Recorded in Melbourne, it shows three incredible performers working together to beautiful effect.

“There have been different approaches to guitar groups in the improvised world, which is what this is close to, but you often have a competitive edge to it. You often feel like the guitarists are trying to outplay each other. It can be very exciting, but with the three of us there’s a real love for space and harmony, and a very unusual combination of sounds.”

“It really is an ensemble. We’re very much working together, not just taking turns and letting go.”

From a Dream is available from Which Way Music.

MGT
August 12 and 13
The Basement,
29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay
Tickets: $69, 9251 2757 or www.thebasement.com.au