Henderson-Kolk Duo

Henderson-Kolk Duo

Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk, guitars

Canada’s own Henderson-Kolk Duo has built their audience’s loyalty with their choice of repertoire, stage charisma and what Wholenote Magazine describes as “a warm and intimate sound.” Since their formation in 2004, they have quickly become one of North America’s premier guitar duos.

Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk first met at the University of Toronto where they studied with Jeffrey McFadden. They quickly cultivated a musical chemistry that has resulted in a dynamic and exciting performance style. As soloists, they have a combined nine international competition prizes. As a duo, they have performed throughout Canada and the United States, and made their international debut at the Mediterranean Guitar Festival in Cervo, Italy in 2006. In 2011, they performed and adjudicated at the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America convention in Columbus, Georgia.

Active transcribers, the Henderson-Kolk Duo are consistently reimagining symphonic and piano works into the guitar duo medium. The added range of Drew’s 8 string guitar has opened up possibilities not normally available to guitar duos. This has resulted in wonderful arrangements of Mozart, Bach, and Schubert, among others. Some of these arrangements can be heard on the duo’s two albums, which have received airplay on CBC Radio 2 in Canada, as well as the Classical Guitar Alive! radio program broadcast throughout the USA. Their recording continue to receive numerous glowing reviews, the second album “Henderson Kolk duo play Bach, Ravel, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and Lhoyer” was recently featured on Classical Guitar Alive! as a Best New Release.

Renowned Canadian classical guitarist Drew Henderson is known for his sensitive performances and virtuosic technique. He has earned the highest praise from audience and critics, and is often cited as one Canada’s best young classical guitarists. His solo performances have taken him throughout Canada, the United States and Italy. He has adjudicated local and international competitions, conducted master classes at universities, and is often invited to perform at international guitar festivals. Drew studied at the University of Toronto and furthered his studies in Milan, Italy. Most influential of his teachers were Eli Kassner, Jeffrey McFadden, and the great Italian virtuosi Lorenzo Micheli and Matteo Mela. Drew’s studies in Italy were made possible by a generous grant from The Canada Council for the Arts. Drew was heavily involved in the competition circuit and was awarded six international prizes. Drew has one solo album titled “Nocturne – Guitar Music of the 19th Century”. This album is filled with virtuosic masterpieces by Regondi, Paganini, Coste and Legnani.

Michael Kolk has performed at music festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and North America and has been called “one of the most musical guitarists performing and recording today” (ThisisClassicalGuitar.com). Liona Boyd has described him as “one of the most brilliant and expressive classical guitarists I have heard in my life.” A winner of numerous guitar competitions, he has released two solo albums to date. Michael has collaborated with musicians in both classical and popular genres and made his orchestral debut as soloist with the Toronto Philharmonia. His most recent solo album, Mosaic, released by Alma Records in February 2014, was praised as “playing and musicianship of the highest order” by WholeNote Magazine. Originally from Vancouver, Michael currently lives and teaches in Toronto. He holds a Performer’s ARCT from The Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Masters of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Toronto where he studied with Jeffrey McFadden.

The Henderson-Kolk Duo is currently preparing a selection of their arrangements for publication through Productions d’Oz. They are also planning the recording of their next album, featuring music of Mozart, never before heard on guitar.

www.hkguitarduo.com

Program Description

Since forming in 2004, the Henderson-Kolk Duo has established themselves as one of North America’s premier classical guitar duos. Drew Henderson and Michael Kolk met at the University of Toronto and after their first performance together, quickly cultivated a musical chemistry that has resulted in a dynamic and exciting performance style. Their program will feature an exciting array of music with an emphasis on the duo’s original arrangements. Of interest are the transcriptions that take familiar works into the new sonorities of the two guitar medium, creating a fresh and intricate sound delivered by the sensitive playing of the Henderson-Kolk Duo. Their program will feature arrangements of Schubert’s piano works, an oboe concerto by Alessandro Marcello, the opening movement of a Mozart symphony or selections de Falla’s La Vida Breve. They will also feature works specifically written for two guitars, such as the beautiful pieces by Canadian Patrick Roux. This is definitely a concert not to be missed.

 

Download Henderson-Kolk Duo’s Program Notes

 

Henderson-Kolk Duo Touring Dates:

Fall tour:

Sunday November 19, 2017 – 7 pm
Ravna House Concerts
Ravna House, Snow Lake MB

Wednesday November 22, 2017  ­– 8 pm
The Klondike Institute of Arts and Culture
The Odd Fellows Ballroom, Dawson City YT

Friday November 24, 2017 – 8 pm
Junction Arts and Music
The St Elias Community Centre, Haines Junction YT

Saturday November 25, 2017– 8 pm
Whitehorse Concerts
Yukon Arts Centre, Whitehorse YT

Spring Tour:

Tuesday February 27, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Swift Current Allied Arts Council
Sky Centre, Swift Current SK

Wednesday February 28, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Shaunavon Arts Council
Centre Street United Church, Shaunavon SK

Thursday March 1, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Biggar Allied Arts Council
Majestic Theatre, Biggar SK

Friday March 2, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Station Arts Centre
Station Arts Centre Theatre, Rosthern SK

Saturday March 3, 2018 – 7:30 pm
Yorkton Arts Council
Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton SK