TOP 10 GUITAWESOME EVENTS FOR 2015
In a world where it is increasingly difficult to conduct a sustainable life as a classical guitarist, any good news are a matter of celebration. Fortunately, 2015 provides many reasons to look at the year ahead with happiness. Here are the top 10 guitawesome events this year prepared for us – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
SHARON ISBIN’s Documentary “Troubadour” hits PBS stations across the US
Although the documentary was premiered last year during the GFA convention in Los Angeles, starting in December, PBS stations across the country will systematically broadcast the life story of Sharon Isbin. Will it make it to Netflix at some point? I have certainly seen many such films make it to the platform and this one would fit right in place.
Stay tuned to Sharon’s Facebook feed, as she usually posts where the Documentary will be aired, and TUNE IN!
http://www.sharonisbintroubadour.com/
PLAY! – May it win the Grammy!
JASON VIEAUX @ the Grammy’s!
Save the date! February 8th will be the day when one of our own will compete to take home yet another Grammy for the guitar world. The fantastic album PLAY by Jason Vieaux is in a very competitive category, with luminaries such as Leon Fleisher and Russia’s latest prodigy Danil Trifonov sharing nominations. Russell already took one beating none other than Vladimir Ashkenazy for it. Everything is possible.
http://www.grammy.com/nominees?genre=5
THE ARANJUEZ Concerto turns 75
I am pretty sure that celebrations for this anniversary will span the globe, but currently the JONDE (Youth orchestra of Spain) is on tour with stellar guitarist Pablo Villegas with concerts in Spain that include the Auditorio Nacional de Musica – arguably, Spain’s most important concert hall. The hall already saw Milos in October with Spain’s National Symphony on three consecutive dates. It’s good times for the guitar in Madrid.
http://www.entradasinaem.es/FichaEspectaculo.aspx?id=5&idEspectaculo=1171
THE DUDE! – With the Aranjuez? You bet.
ANGEL ROMERO & THE DUDE!
Probably the guitar event of the decade. Angel Romero will join LA Philharmonic and the hottest name in classical music – Gustavo Dudamel – for an evening described as ‘Falla & Flamenco’. Yes, we know Angel is not a Flamenco player but if it sells tickets and packs the house, I’ll allow it. Not since John Williams at the Proms or his collaboration with Daniel Barenboim in Berlin have we seen a guitarist with a conductor of this Caliber in a major orchestra. BUY YOUR TICKETS AND SAVE ME A SEAT!
BRAVO ANGEL!!
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/falla-amp-flamenco-dudamel/2015-05-24
After 2013’s success, Milos again in Verbier.
MILOS Returns to Verbier, Debuts in Kennedy Center
Perhaps the greatest ambassador of the instrument in our generation, Milos continues his seemingly eternal tour around the world with returns to some of the most important classical music venues. After becoming the first guitarist to perform in the Verbier Festival – the ‘Oscars’ of the classical music world – he returns to Verbier for yet another take that will make classical audiences more familiar with our instrument. Additional performances at Kennedy Center, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, and dozens of other halls ensure 2015 will be as busy as ever for Milos: USA, South America, Japan, Europe, etc. It never ends. For more info, check his schedule (allow plenty of time to scroll down – it’s A LOT)
PABLO VILLEGAS to premiere SERGIO ASSAD’s new ‘Concerto do Rio de Janeiro’
Co-Comissioned by the GFA and The Cordoba Guitar Festival, Pablo Villegas will do the World Premiere of Sergio Assad’s ‘Concerto do Rio de Janeiro’ at the GFA Convention & International Competition. Later that month, Pablo flies to Cordoba to do the European Premiere with the Cordoba Symphony Orchestra. This work, inspired in the city of Rio, will become a major new addition to the orchestral repertoire and will continue to be championed by Pablo Villegas with additional performances in South America. Can’t Wait!
http://www.guitarfoundation.org/
LEGENDS
THE ASSADS celebrate 50 years on Stage
Living Legends. There are no other adjectives. With events planned in the GFA and Cordoba Guitar festival – new guitar concerto included – the celebrations will certainly be world-wide. This Jam-packed year also includes a tour in South America with celebrations in their Native Brazil. If you have seen the Assads you know they are simply the best duo in history. If you haven’t seen them – Don’t wait any longer! You’ll see what I am talking about.
DAVID RUSSELL might release another CD!
This information comes from a conversation I had with David back in March. After his last release – Grandeur of the Baroque (2012) – many feared that the struggling Concord Music Group (owner of Telarc) would no longer make guitar releases, especially after announcing that LAGQ will no longer be a part of their artist roster. Fortunately, it seems that we might still get some releases from David in the future – Hopefully it happens this year! Stay tuned!
Another concerto recording from the Maestro?
MANUEL BARRUECO to record/perform the Villa Lobos Concerto
It is largely unknown in the guitar community that our very own Fabio Zanon is artistic director of one of the most important classical music festivals in the world – Festival do Inverno Campos de Jordao. I had the fortune to visit Campos this past Summer (which was winter in Brazil, alas the ‘Inverno’ title) and was pleased to find that Manuel Barrueco had begun a long-term collaboration with OSESP – the most important orchestra of Brazil – for a series of concerto performances which will then become a recording in the Orchestra’s own label. I hope these materialize, and every guitar lover should too!
http://www.festivalcamposdojordao.org.br/
Petrit Ceku, 12′ Winner. Who will take it this time?
PARKENING guitar competition
The competition gods have arrived again, and the biggest guitar event out there has another edition this year. $30,000 for the first prize, yes, THIRTY-THOUSAND. It’s like winning the GFA and Tarrega at the same time. Get ready, send your applications and may the odds be forever in your favor.
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