All the events are online here, including discounted series tickets!
I love guitar when paired with another instrument. The interplay, especially in the hands of masters, is like listening to a conversation in music.
We begin with an incredible mandolin and guitar concert on Saturday, June 7th. I’ve just seen the program and it looks phenomenal with music ranging from Bach and Paganini to the present day.
The guitarist, Rene Izquierdo, joined us in 2009 with Edel Muñoz for a simply stunning concert of Cuban music. He’ll return this time bringing Italian mandolin superstar Carlo Aonzo. Classical Guitar Magazine raved about them in a recent review: “…unforgettable versatility, sensitivity, and sublime musicianship.”
We even have a series-opening dinner, in Carlo’s honor, at Gusto Italian Kitchen, beginning at 5:30. Gusto is just minutes from the concert – in the intimate sanctuary of St. John’s United Methodist Church. The chefs at Gusto are planning a special 3-course dinner with Italian wine pairings, to set the tone for our extraordinary evening of music.
Dinner & Concert tickets and details are online here or call us at 512-300-2247.
On July 12th we join once more with our friends at Austin Chamber Music Center to present what is, perhaps, the world’s foremost guitar and flute duo, the Cavatina Duo, in UT’s Bates Recital Hall. Guitarist Denis Azabagic and flutist Eugenia Moliner are tremendous musicians. Denis has performed for us several times, including his Guitar Foundation of America winner’s tour years ago. I have had the privilege of enjoying his playing, and his collaboration with Eugenia, many times over the years.
Particularly exciting is that, on their program, Denis and Eugenia will give the world premiere of a new work by our Composer in Residence, Dr. Joseph V. Williams II. The piece, by their request, will be derived from Sephardic music and cultural influences.
Several years ago Bill Kanengiser called me to introduce me to the music and talent Mak Grgic. Bill, of course, is one of the most important figures in the classical guitar world. He’s a founding member of the LA Guitar Quartet, and extraordinary soloist, and an influential teacher on faculty at USC.
So when he called to tell me about Mak, I was “all ears”!
Mak is a tremendous young talent from Slovenia who is living in LA. A fantastic composer and arranger, it’s always intriguing to see what he’ll come up with next. His guitar and violin duo project is with none other than Martin Chalifour, concertmaster of the LA Philharmonic – the most sought-after orchestral position in one of the world’s most celebrated symphonies! Their concert on August 2nd will be the finale of our summer series, and will be held in the glorious sanctuary of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church.
I so look forward to sharing this series with you. We’ve called it “Perfect Pairings” and I know these magical evenings will live up to the name!
Tickets are online here, call us any time at 512-300-2247.