Ariel Barnes, cello
Heidi Krutzen, harp
Ariel Barnes and Heidi Krutzen
Two of the West Coast’s most exceptional musicians, harpist Heidi Krutzen and cellist Ariel Barnes, have formed Couloir, a new and unexpected duo. Couloir is dedicated to collaboration with Canada’s leading composers, performing modern art music at the highest level of excellence, and presenting engaging new music concerts in non-traditional settings.
Having collaborated for many years as chamber and orchestral musicians, Ariel Barnes and Heidi Krutzen have joined forces to explore the sound, timbre, and colour of cello and harp, a combination of instruments rarely heard together. Their mutual desire to create memorable, moving performance, reaching deeply into music’s emotional and spiritual elements, provides the foundation for their new duo. Couloir is project based, moving away from the traditional recital format, presenting innovative and thought provoking works, and exploring interdisciplinary creations with artists, dancers, and poets.
Couloir Duo
Couloir debuted at Music on Main’s Modulus Festival at Heritage Hall, Vancouver in October 2011 with World Premiers by Canadian composers Jocelyn Morlock, Glenn Buhr, and US composer Baljinder Sekhon. Couloir recently returned from a tour in Washington State for NY’s Piatigorsky Foundation and have recorded live for CBC Radio’s “The Signal.” Upcoming performances activity includes performances in the Ukraine with violinist Petro Krysa in September 2012.
Heidi and Ariel are Principal Harp and Principal Cello respectively of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and former Principal Harp and Principal Cello of the CBC Radio Orchestra. They are members of the Turning Point Ensemble, with whom they have recorded and premiered many new works. As individuals they perform at festival and concert series internationally as well as teaching on the national and international stge. Their performances are broadcast regularly on CBC Radio and NPR in the US. Upcoming commissions include works by Canadian composers: James Maxwell, Andrew Staniland, Anthony Genge, and Caroline Lizotte.
Couloir’s repertoire includes a variety of works, both old and new, by composers such as Piazzolla, Bach, Schubert, Buhr, Villa-Lobos, Granados, Nin, Morlock, Faure, Kikta and Sekhon. Their mutual desire to create memorable, moving performances, reaching deeply into music’s emotional and spiritual elements, provides the foundation for their new duo.
Ariel Barnes plays the 1730 Newland Joannes Franciscus Celoniatus cello valued at $750,000 on loan from the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank.
“…his luscious tone and technical prowess marks him as a musician of real stature.”
-The Vancouver Sun
“The unexpected delight of the evening was a violinist James Ehnes and harpist Heidi Krutzen in a Saint-Saens “Fantasie” (Op. 124), which was all elegance and subtlety.”
-Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_1SUfqvIM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_7izFcKduI
Download Program [PDF]
Download Press Release [PDF]
Performance Schedule
Saturday, September 29/12 Whitehorse YT
Presented by Whitehorse Concerts in Whitehorse
Friday, September 27 & 28/12
School shows and workshops in community
Sunday, January 27/13 Lacombe AB
Presented by Canadian University College in College Administration Auditorium
Tuesday, January 29/13 Snow Lake MB
Presented by Ravna Concerts in Ravna House
Thursday, January 31/13 Saskatoon SK
Presented by Third Ave Centre in Third Ave Church
Friday, February 1/13 Rosthern SK
Presented by Station Arts Centre in Station Arts Centre
Sunday, February 3/13 Estevan SK
Presented by Estevan Arts Council in St. Paul’s United Church
Tuesday, February 5/13 Minnedosa MB
Presented by Minnedosa Performing Arts Committee in United Church
Thursday, February 7/13 Carman MB
Presented by Golden Prairie Arts Council in Carman Active Living Centre
Friday, February 8/13 Brandon MB
Presented by ProSeries in Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University
Performance dates and venues are subject to change. Schools shows, workshops & master classes may be scheduled in addition to these concerts. Please contact the local presenter to confirm performance details.