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.
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