Ars Ephemera

 

Ars Ephemera is the group name that I record under when I write ensemble pieces that blend progressive rock, Impressionist classical, and other favorite influences.

I formed the group to participate in the compilation CDs organized each year by Colossus Projects.

Each CD project is based on an existing literary work.

Colossus recruits progressive rock artists from around the world  to contribute an original composition based on one short story in a compilation, or a chapter of a much longer story.

Day 3 Tale 7

The first Colossus project I participated in with Ars Ephemera was The Decameron, part 1, a 4-CD boxed set released in 2011.

There are 100 short stories in Giovanni Boccacio's 14th century literary masterpiece., told by various characters over a period of ten days. I wrote a piece based on the Seventh Story told on Day Three.

 

Martin Levac - Drums

Frank Larouche - Bass

Gino del Sole - Guitar

Lydia Munchinsky - Cello

Karen Shakespeare - Flute

David Myers - Keyboards

The Other Gods

The next Ars Ephemera composition was for The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft, released in 2012. I based my composition on H.P.'s short story "The Other Gods".

Ars Ephemera pieces are linear narratives, describing the unfolding of the story without conventional verse/chorus format.

Drums and bass were recorded in Montreal, Canada;  Jacques recorded his guitar in Versailles, France, and the rest was recorded at my home in Toronto, Canada.

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Martin Levac - Drums

Frank Larouche - Bass

Jacques Friedmann - Guitar

Lydia Munchinsky - Cello

Karen Shakespeare - Flute

David Myers - Keyboards, Guitar

Lost And Found

Lost And Found is a piece based on the Third Tale told on Day 5 in Giovanni Boccacio's 1353 novel, The Decameron.

 

I decided to go without drums or bass for this piece, keeping it to a type of chamber ensemble, and adding violin for the first time. The opening movement of the piece is written in what I call Faux Baroque style, a kind of writing I believe is unique to progressive rock, and one that I really enjoy. I will be writing more pieces like it in the future.

 

Tamara Hrycak - Violin

Lydia Munchinsky - Cello

Karen Shakespeare - Flute

David Myers - Keyboards, Guitar

 

Ars Ephemera Personnel:

      Lydia Munchinsky - Cello                              Karen Shakespeare - Flute                             Tamara Hrycak - Violin                            Frank Larouche - Bass

           Martin Levac - Drums                   Jacques Friedmann - Guitars                                    Gino del Sole - Guitars                                David Myers - Keyboards