LADOM ENSEMBLE
BORDERLESS MUSIC
“They represent a changing definition of chamber music which sees musicians increasingly looking away from a purely Eurocentric purview…They can play pretty much anything.”
- MUSICAL TORONTO
BIOGRAPHY
POUYA HAMIDI, piano
MICHAEL BRIDGE, accordion
BETH SILVER, cello
ADAM CAMPBELL, percussion
The eclectic cultural richness of Ladom Ensemble’s music is a reflection of Canada’s cultural diversity. Like the vibrant colours of a beautifully woven Persian carpet, the intricacies of an Iranian stone mosaic, Ladom’s sound is drawn from the old and brought into a contemporary presentation. Like the traditions of music from that region, Ladom also relies on the equal balance of both structure and improvisation.
Ladom Ensemble creates a sound that represents one of the oldest cultures in the world, one can hear influences drawn from the Balkan, Celtic, Iran, Argentina, and Europe. The elasticity of styles is the musical foundation of these four musicians and their vast experiences create a new sound and experience that will be appeal to all audiences.
The musicians met in Toronto and quickly realized that they shared a passion to create a sound that draws from their unique musical experiences. A sound that would incorporate inspirations from classical tango, Celtic music, Serbian folk dance, Persian classical dulcimer, amongst others. Ladom was formed, not to define one specific tradition, but rather, to express what a modern and authentic Canadian sound experience, that reflects a beautiful new world. As critic Michael Vincent of musicaltoronto.org wrote, “Toronto’s Ladom Ensemble is not your typical chamber group. In many ways, they represent a changing definition of chamber music which sees musicians increasingly looking away from a purely Eurocentric purview…They can play pretty much anything.”
Consisting of founding member Pouya Hamidi on piano, accordionist Michael Bridge, cellist Beth Silver, and Adam Campbell on percussion, Ladom Ensemble has completed three tours by Jeunesses Musicales Canada (September 2017 and April 2019), Debut Atlantic (April 2018) and Prairie Debut (January-February 2019). In Summer 2019, the Aga Khan Museum presented Ladom’s first multi-disciplinary work, a musical storybook based on Rumi’s Fables. That same summer saw the premiere of four new compositions, commissioned by the Iranian-Canadian Composers of Toronto collective. Earlier that year, they released their second full length album, The Walls Are Made of Song. More tours are scheduled, as Ladom continues to spiral upward and outward into the Canadian music scene.
From the stage, the concert transcends styles and the diverse qualities that each musician brings to the ensemble results in an unconventional experience for listeners. Whether it is Michael mixing up words in Farsi and Serbian, or Adam’s Anglophone accent which endears him to francophone audiences, the concert experience from Ladom’s concerts are best said by CBC Radio’s Errol Nazareth – “This is the first time I have heard such a fascinating mix and it really works well. The music can be very elegant and contemplative and it can also be rocking and fiery and there is no denying of the passion of the four musicians investing in their playing.”
January 2023
REVIEWS
“Toronto’s Ladom Ensemble is not your typical chamber group. In many ways, they represent a changing definition of chamber music which sees musicians increasingly looking away from a purely Eurocentric purview….They can play pretty much anything.”
- MUSICAL TORONTO
“The ensemble achieves that delicate balance between emulating the song and placing a unique stamp on it.”
- CBC MUSIC
“Ladom Ensemble is a great group performing great music in a new world music direction.”
- THE WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE
“I can honestly say that this is the first time I have heard such a fascinating mix and it really works well. The music can be very elegant and contemplative and it can also be rocking and fiery and there is no denying of the passion of the four musicians investing in their playing.”
- CBC
“There is a wide-ranging original sound to Ladom. Their tight chamber sensibilities are well-suited to the Piazzolla cover Fugata.”
- THE WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE
“Ladom’s music is elegant, contemplative, rocking, and fiery and judging by the follow up of the development in the city I’m not the only convert to their sound.”
- CBC RADIO
“Hamidi’s Goriz utilizes his Persian roots especially in the driving rhythmic sections. In contrast his Noor (meaning “light” in Farsi) is an exceptional track in that the performers seem to remove their more “classical” performance sensibilities to create a more spontaneous-sounding slower soundscape ending with Hamidi’s perfect, subtle piano tinkling.”
- THE WHOLENOTE MAGAZINE
