Paul Sullivan & Company Perform at The Grand

ELLSWORTH — Cellist Juan Condori looks forward to performing in pianist Paul Sullivan’s “A Christmas in Maine” concert Dec. 3 because the group will be playing unique variations on familiar themes.

 

Condori, a classical musician who performed with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, said he also looks forward to playing music that is more approachable.

“Paul made his own arrangements and compositions and variations,” said Condori, one of five performers at the 7 p.m. event. “It’s refreshing to play new ideas, new compositions made for cello, piano, percussion and flute.”

In addition to Sullivan and Condori, the group includes Karen Dickes on flute and piccolo, Bill Friederich on percussion and vocalist Rosie Upton.

Condori is a native of Bolivia who began studying classical guitar as a child, but found most of the music for that instrument was transcribed from other instruments.

Then he heard the cello in a live string quartet performance and was taken with the low frequency, the base line that grounds the harmony.

Condori also was taken with the cello’s range, which he said is very human.

“I think that’s what people get touched by,” he said.

 

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