Only in Spanish

GARAIKIDEAK

El Centro de Música Contemporánea GARAIKIDEAK es una iniciativa cultural de carácter privado y sin ánimo de lucro, creada en Pamplona en 2010, e impulsada por músicos  de Navarra, Aragón,  Euskadi y La Rioja.

MISIÓN: Componer, interpretar y promover la difusión de música contemporánea de nueva creación.

VISIÓN: Ser un centro de autores e intérpretes de referencia en el ámbito de la música contemporánea.

En enero de 2010, en el marco de un encuentro promovido por varios compositores e intérpretes residentes  en Navarra, se propone  un proyecto para la creación y difusión gratuita de trabajos de composición dentro del campo de la música contemporánea. Es así como se constituye como asociación cultural el Centro de Música Contemporánea Garaikideak, actualmente integrado por cuatro compositores y más de una docena de  intérpretes, contando desde sus inicios con el apoyo de CTL Formación Imagen y Sonido y Centro Huarte de Arte Contemporáneo. Desde su fundación, el CMC ha realizado dieciséis producciones musicales y multimedia, y es el promotor de NAK, Festival de Música Contemporánea de Navarra – Nafarroako Musika Garaikidearen Jaialdia.

Con un repertorio de más de cincuenta obras instrumentales estrenadas y una biblioteca virtual de partituras de acceso gratuito, ha contado con la colaboración de más de treinta intérpretes y autores de Navarra, Aragón, Euskadi y la Rioja.

David Johnstone es un colaborador muy habitual con su violoncello, y muy de vez en cuando como compositor…

Conjunto de cámara creado en el año 2000 por iniciativa de cuatro excelentes músicos, solistas y colaboradores de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra.

Los componentes del Quatuor Europa han participado en numerosos concursos de música de cámara, siendo galardonados con diversos premios y menciones. Se han presentado también en importantes festivales de música de cámara y han realizado varias grabaciones para la radio y televisión.

Participan regularmente en la vida cultural de Navarra y España, desarrollando habitualmente una o dos giras internacionales al año.

Quatuor Europa está formado por:

• Cristian Ifrim – I  Violín
• Anna Radomska – II Violín
• Jerzy Wojtysiak – Viola
• David Johnstone – Cello

THREE  BY  TWO

Voz - Piano - Cello

Sergio Eslava  y  David Johnstone

“THREE BY TWO” is a NEW musical adventure that combines voice, piano and cello in the same formation – with only two performers on stage! Formed by Sergio Eslava and David Johnstone, both based in Navarra, they undertake intense artistic and performative activity. Their extremely varied musical proposal tries to present versions of a wide variety of artistic styles and eras, programmes that stand out for their versatility and intimacy, showing a wide range of possibilities. Among their projects is “Raíces del mundo”, a proposal that explores folk music from different corners of the planet, regions with an immense musical tradition.

Programme Guidance

‘Raices del Mundo’ – folk music in a multitude of forms

From 2024 - ‘Oscar Hits’ – famous ‘Oscar’ winning tunes

From 2024 - 'Great British Pop Songs'

From 2024 - 'Great Spanish Pop Songs'

"Noche de Akelarre" Concert-Show about the Witches of Zugarramurdi for Narrator, Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello

Integral of the nationalistic string quartet pieces of David Johnstone, with Belen Otxotorena as presenter and actress in a production ‘Journeys in Europe’. The text and the music make one relive the magical story of the Witches of Zugarramurdi and their tragic end (they were the last witches to be burnt alive in Spain in 1610), in a musical production based around the happenings which took place in the famous caves of the Navarra village of Zugarramurdi, although this is rather more an innovative concert with `narrator soloist` than a historical musical story. Premiered in 2004 in the Auditorium of Barañain, Navarre, Spain, and very valid today!!

 Music: David Johnstone
 Text: Belén Otxotorena
 Duration: about 60 minutes without interval.
 Especially suitable for adults and secondary education.
 Languages available: Spanish and French

"European journeys in Quartet" Concert-Show

The motivation of the writing of these compositions comes from two different lines of thought, both reflected in the title of the general work in its original form (Six Romantic European Pieces for String Quartet), and both of a special importance at the beginnings of the 21st century. In fact the idea has been to unite the old and the new Europe. With two new further pieces, and with the introduction of a miniature Overture (Fanfare for Europe) the programme ‘European Journeys in Quartet’ becomes a finished article.

Duration with Spanish text: 60 – 65 mins./ without the presentation the music lasts c.45 mins. Premiered in 2007 with the GALA String Quartet

 Music: David Johnstone
 Text: Belén Otxotorena
 Duration: about 60 minutes without interval. Without presentation of texts about 45 mins.
 Especially suitable for adults and secondary education.
 Languages available: Spanish and French

Both main projects have received many performances in North Spain.

WEB of Belén Otxotorena 

TBA

Cello Activities and Ensembles of all sizes!

The concert repertoire is based, above all, on the `popular classics` and of lighter music of the twentieth century. In the modern popular styles the group has pieces from ragtime style, blues, film music and musicals, to jazz and pop songs, and many present day themes. The group is based in Navarre, Spain. They have given performances above all of 3 and 4 cello music, and from the Baroque era onwards to the present day pop scene, but this can be increased to 6, 8 or 12 cellos or even more … if the individual diaries of the musicians allows! They also develop activities with young cellists of the entire region; they are famed for the grand HelloCello! Cello Orchestra Christmas concerts in which dozens of cellists join up - the record is 93! - and also are keen participants in the International Bach celebrations each March in the ‘Bach in the Subways’ movement.

There are many audios-videos in YouTube - here are just a few examples:
J.S. Bach - Sarabande, for 3 Cellos
Gorka Pastor - Renconciliation, for 6 Cellos and Piano    
Holst - Mars, from 'The Planets', for 6 Cellos    
Dire Straits - Going Home, for 6 Cellos  
Jorge Sánchez and HelloCello! promotional clip

** Romantic cello music above all, and salon pieces from the 19th century. Also Basque-Navarre music, and a selection of Baroque, Classical and early romantic cello sonatas

Here is mention of a couple of recent performances:
Series of Concerts “Martes Musicales de la Obra Social de Caja Vital”, Vitoria, Basque Country
Series of Concerts Kutxa Andía “Salón de Actos Kutxa Andía”, San Sebastian, Basque Country

Live Recordings:
Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen (Aires Bohemios) 
Rachmaninov - Vocalise
Faure - Sicilienne

TBA
 

David Johnstone has participated in the following films/documentaries as described below each entry:  

2012 - Chinese Burns. Full length film, Produced by Hill Roberts Films, directed by Alan Ronald (composer only)
TRAILER  

2012 - Enterrados hasta las rodillas. Short Film (9') directed by Alex Ortega. (Composer, musical director, and as cellist)
VIDEO
MUSICAL EXTRACT A - Nafarroeste (Jota)
MUSICAL EXTRACT B - Tema de Carrera (Race theme)

BIENVENIDO A FAREWELL-GUTMANN (WELCOME TO FAREWELL-GUTMANN). Short Film directed by Xavi Puebla and produced by Quimelca PC, with Film music componed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

El Album Blanco (The White Album). Short film (12’) directed and produced by Felix Viscarret, with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

The Second Name. Film (90’) produced by Castelao Productions, directed by Paco Plaza, with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

Lorca. Film (25’) of Iñaki Elizalde with film music composed by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

Dr. Vesalius. Animation (6’) Julian Roberts Productions with the London Film Institute. (Composer/cellist)

Agurra. Short Film (3’) of Iñaki Elizalde and Patxi Laborda with film music by Mikel Salas. (Performer)

The Plague. Animation (5’) Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4 , Great Britain . Special invitation in the film festivals of Ankara (Turkey), London, Edinburgh, and Krok (Ucraine). (Composer/cellist)

Dr. Morse. Drama Series for British television. Performer (various programmes)

Loss Adjuster. Short Film (10’) Julian Roberts Productions. Award Winner in the Chicago Film Festival. Arranger – Performer

Over Here, Over There. Documentary Series for B.B.C. 1 Television. Performer (in every programme)

Cross-Bones. Series of 6 Short Animation Films (total 35’). Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4, Great Britain. Composer/cellist

The Golem. Animation Film (5’) Julian Roberts Productions for television Channel 4, Great Britain.  Award Winner in the Cracow Film Festival. Composer/cellist

Criminal Justice. Animation Film (5’). Julian Roberts Productions. Improviser – Performer/improviser

Johnstone has participated from time to time in other recordings for television and radio in the music of other composers. In this section one might note the many recordings made as a young professional cellist for the B.B.C. Schools Educational Programmes produced by Douglas Coombes.

No mention here is made of the countless recordings that Johnstone has participated in as an orchestral player …

The following ORIGINAL WORKS of David Johnstone have been recorded for television in the form of a live televised concert:

 Fantasy-Sonatina, for Flute and Piano. Tele 5, Madrid

 Zapateado of San Fermin, for Flute and Piano. Tele 5, Madrid

 Danzas Virtuosas for Solo Violoncello. Introduction (Sarabande) and Gigue / The Prisioner (Danza Virtuosa No.2) / Danzas de Galicia (Galician Dances). Tele 5, Madrid

 Suite “The Witches of Zugarramurdi”, for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Violoncello. Tele 5, Madrid 

 Sonata de Cámara “Mar del Plata”, for Accordion and string quartet. Tele 5, Madrid 

 Petite Suite Historique, for Viola and Violoncello. Tele 5, Madrid

 Piezas Románticas, for Piano solo. Tele 5, Madrid

 Trío Sinfónico, for Clarinet, Cello and Piano. Televisión Española (TVE), La Rioja, España 

 Tango Concierto, for Cello and Accordion. Tele 5, Madrid.