ChromaDuo
are Canadian guitarists Tracy Anne Smith and Rob MacDonald, who
focus on the development, creation and performance of
outstanding new music by emerging and established composers.
Tracy Anne Smith
garners praise for her expressive performances, rich tonal
palette and musical control. Cuban guitarist and conductor Leo
Brouwer praised her “polyphonic hands” and “tremendous sound”
while American virtuoso Benjamin Verdery commended her “ability
to express the emotion of a work to its core.” Her playing has
brought her to the concert platform in Germany, England, France,
Italy, Spain, the USA, Mexico and her native Canada. Her debut
CD to be released in late 2008 features 20th and 21st
century masterpieces, including Lilac.Star.Bird, written for
Tracy by Taiwanese composer, Ying-Chen Kao. Tracy is presently
a Doctoral student at the Peabody Conservatory under the
guidance of Manuel Barrueco. She holds a Master’s Degree from
Yale University, studying with Benjamin Verdery; and an
Undergraduate Degree from the University of Toronto, studying
with Norbert Kraft and Jeffrey McFadden.
Sincere, bold, and compelling performances of new solo and
chamber repertoire are establishing Rob MacDonald’s
reputation as one of Canada's most exciting young guitarists.
Solo recitals have taken him to the USA, England, and Italy and
he has performed with Soundstreams Canada, the Canadian Opera
Company, Madawaska String Quartet, CONTACT Contemporary
Ensemble, and Tapestry New Opera. Rob holds performance degrees
from the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, as well as Peabody
Conservatory, and has studied privately with guitar virtuoso
Matteo Mela in Italy. His debut recording with the Madawaska
String Quartet will feature four premieres, and will be released
in the fall of 2008.
Here
are a few pictures from the performance and Masterclass
