Montana Skies, Indianapolis, IN, March 21, 2012

I excited to blog again about Montana Skies.  They are coming to Indy on Wednesday.  Looking forward to checking them out, finally.

https://indianaclassicalguitar.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/montana-skies-ironton-oh-april-9-2011/

The above link is to an interview we had with Jonathan.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Irving Theater

5505 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46219

(317) 356-3355

Set: 7:30 PM All Ages Tickets: $12 adv./$15 day of show

 

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LAGQ, Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival, Valpraiso IN, March 24, 2012

Yes, LAGQ has played in most of the sacred performance facilities in the world… and now, Valpraiso! at the Mid America Guitar Festival.

When: Mar 24 2012 – 7:30pm

—From LAGQ Press Relase—

For three decades on the concert stage, the members of the Grammy® Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet have continually set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles, while perennially redefining themselves in their musical explorations. Popularly known as the LAGQ, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, is recognized as one of America’s premier instrumental ensembles. As one of the most charismatic groups performing today, their critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground.
The LAGQ has given recitals in many of the world’s top venues, including Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall and Southbank Centre, Tokyo Opera City, and New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. They have toured extensively in Europe and Asia, where they were featured at the Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila International Arts Festivals and recently made a highly successful debut in Beijing. Performances in Moscow close out 2011 and orchestral performances in Sydney and Perth in November 2012 will mark the Quartet’s first-ever visit to Australia. Summer 2011 includes a Germany tour as well as debut performances at the Minnesota Beethoven, Big Sky (MT) and Skeneateles (NY) Festivals, and a return to Grand Teton Music Festival (WY) for a week-long residency including a solo concert and an orchestral program conducted by Matthias Pintscher.
In the 2011-12 season, solo concerts and residencies take the LAGQ throughout the United States and their performances of Rodrigo are highlights of the Jacksonville (FL) and Madison (WI) Symphonies. Projected for residencies in Loudoun County Virginia and at Valparaiso University in Indiana is a new work for the LAGQ and Guitar Orchestra by Japanese composer Shingo Fujii; this work will be dedicated to those affected by the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami. Productions of “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote: Words and Music from the Time of Cervantes” with guest artist, Firesign Theatre veteran and voiceover actor, Phil Proctor continue to delight and expand audiences in St. Louis and Los Angeles this season. The St Louis performance at the Sheldon Theater will be recorded for DVD and available in 2012. This project was originally developed and premiered in collaboration with the British actor John Cleese actor John Cleese at the Santa Barbara Guitar Festival and tours with Phil Proctor have been received to great acclaim at numerous venues across the US and Canada.
A highlight of 2010 was the Telarc release of “Interchange,” their first recording of concertos by Rodrigo and Assad. “Interchange for Guitar Quartet and Orchestra,” the new concerto written specifically for these four virtuosi by Brazilian composer and guitar master, Sergio Assad and featured on the Telarc CD, recently received a Latin Grammy® nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. This work originally premiered in 2009 as part of the Southwest Guitar Festival with the San Antonio Symphony and subsequent performances included the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Seattle, New Jersey, Santa Barbara and Delaware Symphonies. The work was then recorded with the Delaware Symphony and Music Director David Amado.
Past highlights have included performances of the Rodrigo “Concierto Andaluz” at the composer’s official centenary in Spain at the invitation of his daughter and to a crowd of thousands at the Hollywood Bowl, tours in support of their “Brazil” CD with vocalist Luciana Souza and, a special New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Tisch Center at the 92nd Street Y(NY) and serving as two-time curators for the week-long guitar celebrations in Santa Barbara sponsored by the Symphony. Members of the Quartet also performed and recorded two works of Osvaldo Golijov with the Atlanta Symphony in Atlanta and at the Ojai(CA) and Ravinia(IL) Festivals.
The LAGQ’s CD, “Guitar Heroes,” released on Telarc, won the group their first Grammy Award in 2005. It is a heartfelt salute to the great players who inspired the quartet, as individuals and as a group. It has received raves for its unique ability capture the feeling and fervor of diverse musical styles such as jazz, bluegrass, rock and flamenco. In November 2008, this recording joined those by artists such as the Who, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits on Sound and Visions “Top 10 Surround Discs of All Time”. Their first Telarc CD, “LAGQ – Latin,” features their popular transcription of Bizet’s Carmen, along with works from Chile, Cuba and some new original works by members of the quartet. This CD, which has received raves from listeners and critics alike, received a 2003 Grammy nomination and the Super Audio CD (SACD) version won the award for “Best Made for Surround” at the 1st Annual Surround Music Awards. The LAGQ’s release, “SPIN” (2006), shows yet again that the group is equally at home in a wide variety of musical genres and also features several commissioned works from their recent collaboration with percussionist Colin Currie. The ensemble’s current release, LAGQ-Brazil (Telarc, 2007) continues to receive raves and includes performances with singing sensation Luciana Souza. The LAGQ’s “Interchange” CD (March 2010) features their long-awaited recording of Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto Andaluz” and the premiere recording of Sergio Assad’s “Interchange” with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. The LAGQ’s first live-concert DVD appears on the Mel Bay Artist Series.

For more information about the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, visit their website at www.lagq.com.

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Gruender / Agresti Duo (Guitar & Violin Duo), Indianapolis, IN, Sunday, Setp 25.

Mr Dave Gruender is the music librarian for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Guitarist, and longtime member of the Indiana Society for the Classical Guitar.  Mr. Gruender is offering a guitar / violin duo performance with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, First Violin, Mr Gino Agresti.

The Duo has performed with the Indiana Classical Guitar Society this year and is prepping for extended concerts (hopefully) this year.  The ISCG concert performance was simply amazing.  The guitar and violin may a wonderful duo combination and sound incredible live.

When:  Sunday, September 25, 4 pm

Where:  Salem Lutheren Church Indy

Cost: Free

Johannes Möller – GFA Winner’s Tour, Indianapolis, IN, Sept. 22, 2011

Johannes Möller will be in concert, as part of the Guitar Foundation of America’s contest first place tour, on Thursday.  The concert should be amazing.  Johannes will have his CDs available for purchase.

When: Thursday, September 22, 2011, Time: 7:30 pm

Where: Informatics and Communications Technology Complex at IUPUI,  535 W. Michigan Street

$20 General Admission / $15 Advance Purchase / $10 for ISCG Members and Students

Indiana Society for the Classical Guitar

—

From the GFA Website:

“The Swedish guitarist and composer Johannes Möller has captivated audiences throughout the world with charismatic and soulful performances. After playing his first public concerts at the age of 13, his performances now total over 500 and span Europe, Asia, South and North America. In 2010 he was awarded first prize in the GFA Concert Artist Competition, considered by many to be the most prestigious guitar competition in the world, resulting in a 50-concert tour and a recording with the Naxos label.

As a performer, Johannes’s artistry has reached well beyond the usual guitar circles. This was confirmed in 2008 when he won the Dutch Vriendenkrans Concours where he was competing against performers in all instrumental categories. As a part of this award his name has been engraved on a metal plate that can be seen in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Critics have also noted his special qualities, writing of his playing “Guitarist Johannes Möller achieved miracles with his lucid, spacious playing” (London Evening Standard).

At the age of 12 as a self-taught composer Johannes experienced an outburst of creativity that resulted in a large quantity of pieces that were performed and recorded with great critical acclaim. A selection of these works was recorded on a CD with some of the top instrumentalists in Sweden when he was 14 years old. In his later teenage years, Johannes continued composing, experimenting with various compositional styles and techniques. Doberman-Yppan has published a number of his works and his pieces are now being performed by such groups as the Eden-Stell Duo.

Johannes has earned a Bachelor’s of Music with Honors from the Royal College of Music in London where he studied guitar with Gary Ryan and Carlos Bonell and composition with William Mival. He has received a master’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague where he studied with Zoran Dukic. He also received a scholarship from the Royal Conservatoire that allowed him to study privately with Pavel Steidl in the Czech Republic as well as composition lessons with Dusan Bogdanovic in the USA. He completed a second Masters degree at the Conservatoire in Amsterdam where he studied guitar with Lex Eisenhardt and composition with Richard Ayers.

Johannes plays Gregory Byers guitars fitted with D’Addario strings.”

—Program—

Song to the Mother (2009) – Johannes Möller (b.1981)

Introduction and Variations  on a theme from the opera Der Freischütz – K. A. Craeyvanger (1817-1868)

Asturias (Leyenda) from Suite Española Op. 47 – Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)

A star in the sky, a universe within… (2009)  – Johannes Möller

—–Intermission—–

Lamento-Scherzo (2010) – Denis Gougeon (b. 1951)

Un Sueño en la Floresta – Agustín Barrios-Mangoré (1885-1944)

Poem to a Distant Fire (2010) – Johannes Möller

Ananda (2009) (Dedicated to Ramakrishnananda Babaji)  –  Johannes Möller

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ISCG Members Concert, Indianapolis, IN, August, 29, 2011

Celebration of the Guitar: ISCG Members Concert

Monday, August 29, 2011
Informatics and Communications Technology Complex at IUPUI
535 W. Michigan Street
Time: 7:30 pm

$10 General Admission / Free for ISCG Members. $30 Indv / $45 Household memberships available

Parking Info: visitor parking is available, for a small fee, at the Gateway Parking Garage (525 N. Blackford St.) directly Northwest of the Informatics and Communications Technology Complex.– 819 W. North Street

John Alvarado – Lecturer of Guitar at IUPUI and President of the ISCG
Tom Fowler – Owner of the Noblesville Music Center and Secretary of the ISCG
Dave Gruender – Music Librarian for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Guitarist, and longtime member of the ISCG
Stevan Jovik – MM from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, currently completing his Artist Diploma
Sam Lawson – Doctoral Candidate at the Ball State University School of Music and Vice-President of the ISCG
Thomas Tudek –  Guitar Faculty at the University of Indianapolis and ISCG member

Rafael Aguirre Miñarro, Q & A

Thanks to Rafael, who was kind enough to correspond.

—

I’ve been listening to your Naxos CD release for a while and really have enjoyed it (especially Sor’s Opus 16 Fantasy).  How were you asked to record the CD?  How was it to work with Norbert Kraft and Bonnie Silver, producing the CD?

I was asked to record the CD after i won the Francisco Tarrega International Competition in Spain. I wanted to display a bright program representing one of my most personal characteristics: I learned a lot of repertoire during my life and this cd is just an example of my different musical tastes. To work with Norbert was really easy, he knows exactly what he wants from you and you can really concentrate at the church where you record and the acoustics are just amazing! i wanted to show how versatile is the guitar and i think that it is the instrument that will develop the most in the 21. century and will bring audiences that are not so well informed and don t like classical music a lot of joy hearing this music due to the quality and popularity of the instrument.

When you traveled to Indianapolis you flew into the country from Germany the same day.  Are you completely at ease when traveling or does it still stress you out?  Do you ever rehearse at the airport?

It is always stressing traveling and i consider it really the hardest part of the whole thing, but i try to take it easy and enjoy small things in life. I was fortunate to sleep before landing in Indianapolis but i remember taking a shower before the concert at the Olympic swimming pool installations of the university! pretty funny!

I like to rehearse at airports because it is inspiring watching people from all around the world and you see that the music it is the only thing that is really international and sounds everywhere the same and has the same effect. So many people are thankful when they hear a guitar at one airport and i think this is really nice in a very stressful society that we live.

You are playing romantic era pieces for your recitals (at least in Indianapolis).  The Albeniz, Tarrega, Schumann, Debussy, etc made for a really interesting concert.  The Schumann, in particular, was an interesting choice. How did you learn about this work and can you tell us about the transcription?

I always think that you are a children your whole life in spirit and this piece talks about the childhood. And somehow living in the same city that Schumann lived in was inspiring and a reason to transcribe this piece and try to show a new view through my instrument. I think Schumann would be really astonished to see how well the piece works on the guitar and maybe he would write something for it.

Your encore piece was exciting, almost like watching a movie!  I’m not sure about the copyright concerns but the FORCE was certainly used during the
performance!

Thank you, I am glad you liked it! Again, i think through the guitar you can show a complete orchestra in a more simple way to understand but always with a very direct effect on the listener. This piece starts as a joke transforming in a very complex and beautiful arrangement bringing the listener to all the parts of the movie. It is like a mini travel to the stars!

Are you living or is your family living in Spain?  Do you return to your homeland?

My family is still living in Spain and i return there very often. I love Spain and it is always the biggest inspiration for me. I can t play a single concert without Spanish music without fulfilling my Spanish soul. It is just magical music and one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I still need to find something more beautiful than the Alhambra in Granada, the most visited monument in the world.

Is there a Spanish ‘style’ of guitar playing as in technique?  Certainly there is Spanish compositions taking ideas from traditional dance, etc.  Is there any projects in the future involving Spanish music or composers?

Of course , guitar technique is mainly developed in Spain and this is why there are so many good players from Spain. Nevertheless , today you find amazing players all around the world, Russia, France, USA, Japan, Italy, Brazil, Peru, Argentina etc. The music has a very strong folkloric and European influences at the same time. I am always learning new pieces like the Toccata by Rodrigo an example on how European, Spanish music can sound influenced by the french masters, for example and trying to imitate the symphonic orchestra. I will be recording another CD for NAXOS with Spanish Music with a World Premiere Recording by Grammy Award Winner artist Sergio Assad , based on Spanish themes, as well as a lot of Spanish pieces not so often recorded. Thanks for the interview!

Thomas Tudek YouTube Video Update

Thomas has released several YouTube videos from the March recital for our enjoyment.  The videos feature Maja Radovanlija (guitar duo), Jodi Sowers (flute) and Slobodan Mililojevic (guitar trio with Maja & Thomas).

Tres Piezas de Otoño by Máximo Diego Pujol

Five Pieces for Flute and Guitar by Thomas Tudek

Cordoba by Isaac Albeniz

In review. Erol Ozsever, Fishers, IN, April 25, 2011

Mr. Erol Ozsever will be performing at 7:00pm in the Hamilton East Public Library. Admission is free.

Mr Ozsever offers a recording on his website for purchase.

Erol’s website states “Erol Ozsever (b.1985) is a classical guitarist from Fishers, Indiana. In 2007 he graduated cum laude from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Guitar Performance with a minor in Recording Industry Management. In 2009 he graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a Master of Music Degree in Guitar Performance with a minor in Early Music.  He has performed in master classes with a number of world-renowned performers including Jason Vieaux, Ana Vidovic, Adam Holzman, and Adam del Monte.

In 2004 he was selected as a national finalist in the American String Teachers Association solo competition. He also took 2nd prize at the 2005-2007 Beethoven Club Young Artists’ Competition. In 2007 he was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in guitar performance from Middle Tennessee State University.  In 2008 he was awarded the top prize for graduate strings in the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale.  In 2009 he was awarded 1st prize at the Rosario Guitar Competition in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2010 he was awarded 2nd prize at the Competition in the performance of the music of Spain and Latin America at Indiana University, which was open to singers, instrumentalists, and ensembles.

Erol is currently residing in Bloomington, Indiana to attend the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University to study guitar with EMI recording artist Ernesto Bitetti. He is also the founder and co-director of the Indiana International Guitar Festival and Competition.”

—

I believe it is safe to say that everyone enjoyed the recital.  Erol was entertaining, informative and presented the music in a thoughtful manner (explaining much about each piece before performing).  His performance was nearly flawless; the hall had a few distractions with small children present and shuffling of programs but this didn’t seem to distract Erol.  The selections were intense, musical treats, such as “Un Sueno en la Floresta” where Erol demonstrated an excellent tremolo technique on this masterpiece.  Good luck at IU this semester Erol!

Program

Federico Mompou (1893-1987)

Cancion (from Cancion y Danza no. 6)

Augustin Barrios Mangore (1888-1944)

Vals No. 4, from Opus 8

Un Sueno en la Floresta

Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992)

Milonga del Angel

La Muerte del Andel

Jorge Morel (b. 1931)

Danza in E minor

Sergio Assad (b. 1952)

i. Divertimento

ii. Valseana

iii. Preludio e Toccatina

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Petar Jankovic & The Petar Jankovic Ensamble

Mr Petar Jankovic,  Bloomington Indiana resident, Professor of Guitar at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University has been very busy.  In 2008, he released his third CD entitled ‘Leyenda’ and has since created a guitar-led, string quartet called the Petar Jankovic Ensamble.  It is also interesting that the quartet is sponsored by Strings By Mail, a fantastic online retailer focusing on the needs of the classical guitarist.  I am a big fan of Strings By Mail and now, of the Petar Jankovic Ensamble.  I hope to see them performing very soon!

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Indiana Society for the Classical Guitar, Open Stage, May 1st

Sunday afternoon is a great time to join a few classical guitar players and enjoy some great music at this, the Indiana Society for the Classical Guitar’s open stage.  Bring your guitar or just your open mind to enjoy some beautiful, hand-crafted music.  There will be a guitar ensemble; so if you play, please bring a guitar.  You will be welcome to perform a few pieces, as well.

Where: Circle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church

Time: 2:00 pm

Check out the ISCG Facebook page, as well.