Works and Media

Accidental Heroes

A multi-disciplinary performance work in which Art itself tells the story, a story that describes Artists’ pursuit of personal, social, and political freedom. The work features the life and work of Russian/American Artist Grisha Bruskin and Irish/American Painter Timothy Hawkesworth and is set amidst the sweeping social chronicle of the 1950‘s, 60’s and 70’s.

Voice of the People: CD & short films

“These performances are extraordinary…Violinist Shem Guibbory’s tone is arresting from note 1. His intonation is exemplary, and his rhythmic acuity brings all the flavors of Gabriela Lena Frank’s Sueños de Chambi…to the fore. His performance of the Shostakovich is on the same level as that of Oistrakh himself, and of Yuri Bashmet’s recording of Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata…”

—William Zagorski, Fanfare magazine April 2011

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Memories & Reflections – Enesco and Laytin

Performed live with violin, piano and displayed images, this performance work explores how narratives from different art forms – a musical composition, photography and live performance – combine together to tell distinct, simultaneous and related stories. Shem Guibbory, Violin with Piano — Music: Georges Enesco, Impressions D’Enfance with 37 Photographic Images by Peter Laytin (images ©Peter Laytin, all rights reserved). Performance duration approximately 30 minutes; 60 minutes with lecture/discussion.

A Journey of 100

The Chaconne by J.S. Bach is recognized the world over as music of seemingly endless depth and profundity. Journey of 100 is my personal journey of discovery, seeking to uncover and share this work’s secrets with public, colleagues and friends – intimately, live and in settings large and small. After more than 30 performances, I can honestly say that the Chaconne is now “playing me”, it has exploded my understanding of connecting and communicating with listeners, and has left all of us in greater awe of Maestro Bach’s still potent genius. You will find in the Journey of 100 blog some listeners’ amazing and personal responses to the music and my playing. A few remarkable experiences can be seen here on video.

Evolution of a 21st Century Violinist

Listen to Shem Guibbory trace the musical thoughts of 5 violinists across 4 centuries – hear musical elements embedded into the creative path of violinist/composers Bach,Ysaÿe, Sarasate and Bacewicz – then follow Guibbory in global travels through the commissioned works of Douglas Cuomo, John McDonald, Simon Shaheen and hear his own interpretation of Madagascar zither and rattle music! Performance with percussionist Rex Benincasa and other artists

A Night at the Alhambra Café

Created with co-authors Margaret Booker (Director/writer) and Robert Schenkkan (writer), based on a script by Rinde Eckert. A Night at the Alhambra Café is a musical fable about a young girl coming of age in an urban American environment. To date, trial audiences have enthusiastically embraced both the story and it’s wide spectrum of music — classical, jazz, folk, blues, American standard.

Supported by The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Study and Conference Center (Italy), The Krannert Center, University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign, Harlem Stage (New York), The ARGOSY Contemporary Music Fund, The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and The Center for Art and Nature (Ferrara de Pallars, Spain).