Groups

Duo 61/4

Lynn Vartan and Shalini Vijayan have been friends and collaborators for the past six years. Combining their passion for new music and their desire to create new arrangements of classical repertoire, they formed 61/4, the name representing the four strings of the violin and the 61 bars on the concert grand marimba.

Their concerts combine works for violin and marimba as well as pieces for violin with other instruments in the percussion family.  Recent performances include Southern Utah University’s Satellite Salon Series, Pasadena's Boston Court Theatre for Zebulon Projects, featured performers with Southwest Chamber Music at the Colburn School of Music, the Armory Center for the Arts and The Huntington Gardens.

Currently commissioning and arranging for their unique instrumentation, the duo has commissioned and premiered works by Donald Crockett, Carlos Rivera and Steven Gates.  Their style is vibrant and energetic, with a wide range of styles to suit many different audiences and venues.

For more information about or to book 61/4, please email Lynn  at lynn@lynnvartan.com

Concert Proposals

1. “Modern Edge” (Program length:  60 minutes of music)
   
   Retablo by Steven Gates, for violin and mixed percussion
   SIkan  - An Afro-Cuban Folk Tale by Carlos Rivera, for violin & hand percussion
   Lonely Suite by Lera Auerbach for solo violin
   Ung –Cinnebar Heart for Solo Marimba
   Temazal by Javier Alvarez for maracas and electronics
    
2. “The Old and The New” (Program Length: variable between 40 – 60 minutes as needed)
   
   Selections from the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin by JS Bach 
   Lonely Suite by Lera Auerbach for solo violin
   The Varied Trio by Lou Harrison for Violin, Percussion and Piano
    
3. “Arrangements for New Voices”  (Program Length: 45 minutes)
   
   Tango Arrangements of Astor Piazolla
   Bach selections arranged for violin and marimba or violin and vibraphone
   Armenian Folk songs for solo marimba arranged by Lynn Vartan
   Selections of arrangements by Maurice Ravel for marimba and violin
    
4. “61/4 + 1”  (Program Length: 50 minutes)
   
    When the Smoke Clears by Barbara White for Violin, Marimba and Clarinet
   And the Legions Will Rise by Kevin Putz for Violin, Marimba and Clarinet
   Threedance by Robert Aldridge for violin, marimba and tabla
   The Varied Trio by Lou Harrison for Violin, Percussion and Piano

Above programs are samples from recent performances.  Many other programming options are available.