CelloBop!

Last weekend we went to our first house concert at the home of our friends Bob and Chris. It featured new transplant to Portland (from Massachusetts) Gideon Freudmann, master of the cello and a genuinely engaging fellow. He plays an electronic cello, a beautiful sculptural piece that is reminiscent of the shape of a traditional cello, but is wired so that he can record tracks and essentially play along with himself and compose on the fly. (He also plays a magnificent regular cello, which is pictured here.)

His music can be funny, haunting and moving, sometimes all at once, and the the joy he exhibits in his performance shows the passion he has for this instrument. He's also got a way with comic songs and sings a mean blues. We're so glad he decided to settle here, and we'll definitely be seeking him out in the future. Stay tuned!

For those who've never been to a house concert, it's a show that's presented in a private space like a home, barn or whatever, with all proceeds going to the artist who can round out a touring schedule and build new markets with the one-on-one opportunities these venues present. (Here's a primer on house concerts.)