INTERPLAY: Radu Valcu Quintet (RVQ) feat. The UCLA Guitar Ensemble
UCLA Herb Alpert School of MusicLani HallCharles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles 90095
The UCLA Guitar Ensemble brings its Improvisation Workshop to a close with INTERPLAY, a program directed by the Radu Valcu Quintet and conducted by Dr. Mircea Gogoncea. UCLA guitar students, alumni and guests join RVQ for chamber and ensemble performances, working through new and existing classical-jazz fusion pieces. Improvisation is the program’s through line, presented here as an active part of contemporary performance practice rather than an add-on to the written music.
RVQ is a Romanian chamber-jazz project built from musicians with classical and jazz backgrounds. Its music draws together classical writing, jazz, fusion and traditional or world-music influences, with JAZZx describing “a sensitivity directed toward timbral space” and “an exploration of the harmonic universe.” The quintet has appeared at the George Enescu festival, 3Sound Fest, JazzX, Jazz in the Park and Csíki Jazz, and its Bandcamp credits the group as the composer of the music on SHAPES. A ConnectArts listing offers a striking invitation to the work: “Only after you discover their music do you realize you had been waiting for it for a long time.”
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music offers a refined concert experience in its 135-seat Lani Hall Theater, designed with advanced acoustic treatments that ensure clear sound from every seat. The venue features a raised stage with adjustable acoustic panels, creating an environment where both performers and audience members can engage deeply with the music. Events here range from student recitals to performances by renowned artists, often free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. The setting encourages attentive listening rather than casual socializing, making it ideal for those who appreciate the nuances of live music. Located within UCLA's Westwood campus, the school also hosts a variety of musical series and festivals that celebrate global traditions and contemporary works, promising an enriching evening of artistry and culture.