Two Star Symphony
If you are looking for some string trio music that is hip, colorful, and a bit on the darkly humoresque side, the Two Star Symphony ensemble will deliver exactly that. Full of picturesque references to nightmarish images, the ensemble's original compositions end up sounding part Hector Berlioz and part Danny Elfman.
Two Star Symphony describe their music as a mix of classical, gypsy, rock, hip-hop, metal, and electronic. Such a recipe is bound to be interesting, and the group is gaining local attention: The full orchestra’s album Danse Macabre was nominated for album of the year in the Houston Press Music Awards 2005 and the Houston Chronicle 2005 nominated Two Star for best original band.
The core performers in the ensemble are Jo Bird on the viola and toy piano, Debra Brown on the violin, and Margaret Lejeune on the cello. Like many classical musicians, the three dress in black, but they add their own spunky twist to the old uniform: promotional photos depict the trio posing with fishnet stockings and leather high-heeled boots.
Two Star Symphony Orchestra is the extended version of the trio ensemble. The orchestra includes Chris Bakos on the bass, John Duboise on the clarinet, Chenoa Mauthner on the violin, Jerry Ochoa on the violin, Cathy Power on the marimba and bells, and Kirk Suddreath on the percussion and drums.
Silent and Short Film Composition
Last fall, Two Star Symphony composed a soundtrack for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s screening of the silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. According to cellist Margaret Lejeune, the group wants to do more composing for short films. In 2008, they hope to score another film for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Upcoming Performance at DiverseWorks and Avant Garden
Because of the sold-out popularity of last year's performance at the MFAH, Two Star Symphony has scheduled another performance at DiverseWorks (713-223-8346) for Friday, Aug. 24 and Saturday, Aug. 25. Tickets are available for $15 each.
The group also performs regularly on Thurday evenings from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at the Avant Garden (713-526-4648).
Discography
Two Star Symphony has released one CD of original compositions entitled Danse Macabre: The Constant Companion. The album is darkly picturesque, evoking pirates, marionettes, black cats, poison, and goblins.
The toy piano in “The Poisoned Apple” suggests a creepy Tim Burton-esque nighttime scene, where the innocent and the fantastic collide. (Interestingly enough, the ensemble has also scored music for a book by Edward Gorey, a children’s author who specializes in a darkly absurd kind of humor). The stiff repetitive dance meters in “The Marionette” mimic the controlled actions of a lifeless puppet rather convincingly. The album is available on itunes.
Track Listing
- My Gemini Friend (5:00)
- The Poisoned Apple (3:38)
- The Marionette (3:51)
- Eris (6:41)
- Goblin Attack (7:13)
For more information on Two Star Symphony, please visit the ensemble website.
