An exciting series showcasing classical guitar takes advantage of local appearances by renowned musicians and incorporates opportunities for the public to observe master classes and recitals by the guest artists and Eastman School of Music faculty.
Sponsored by Eastman’s Department of Strings, Harp, and Guitar in association with the International Guitar Institute, “Eastman Guitarfest 2007” includes master classes by internationally known guitarists David Russell and Pepe Romero, who are giving local concerts; a master class by Professor of Lute Paul O’Dette; and a recital by Professor of Guitar Nicholas Goluses.
“With important classical guitar artists coming to Rochester this fall, it created a great opportunity for other teaching and performing events,” said Goluses, who developed the series. “Local musicians and fans of classical guitar not only can enjoy the concerts,but will have the chance to see major artists in a more ‘up-close and personal’ setting.”
The schedule includes:
- A master class with Romero from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, in the Ciminelli Lounge of the Eastman Student Living Center. The Spanish-born Romero, who is appearing at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Linehan Chapel at Nazareth College, started performing professionally at age seven. He has appeared around the world as a soloist and with his family as a member of The Romeros Quartet. He has received numerous awards and a knighthood from the King of Spain. (Tickets for Romero’s recital at Nazareth are $20 to $65 and can be purchased online at http://www.igisecurecheckout.com/ROC_Tickets.html.)
- A master class with O’Dette at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, in the Ciminelli Lounge of the Eastman Student Living Center. O’Dette is an influential and internationally known authority on the lute who, in addition to his teaching and research of early music, has made more than 120 recordings and is in demand around the world as a performer. He has won a Grammy Award and the Diapason d’Or de l’Année, also known as the French Grammy. A member of the Eastman faculty since 1976, O’Dette is also artistic director of the Boston Early Music Festival.
- A Kilbourn Series concert by Russell at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Eastman School’s Kilbourn Hall. (Tickets are $8 to $18; there is a discount with UR ID. They can be purchased at the RPO Box Office, 108 East Ave.; by phone, (585) 454-2100; or online at esm.rochester.edu/concerts.) Russell will also conduct a master class at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in the school’s Howard Hanson Hall, and at 5 p.m. in the Ciminelli Lounge. Praised for his lyrical phrasing, Russell has won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition and Spain’s prestigious Francisco Tárrega Competition, and a Grammy Award in 2005 as best instrumental soloist in classical music.
- A recital by Goluses at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Kilbourn Hall. (Tickets are $10 for the general public; available at the door one hour before concert time. UR ID holders admitted free.) Goluses has received critical acclaim in his performances as a soloist and chamber music player and with orchestras throughout the Americas, in Europe, and the Far East. His CDs of the sonatas of Johann Sebastian Bach and the late solo guitar works of Fernando Sor earned wide critical and audience praise. Goluses recently completed a CD of contemporary American music for guitar and flute with Eastman faculty member Bonita Boyd. Goluses was the first to hold the Andres Segovia Faculty Chair at the Manhattan School of Music, where was also received the Pablo Casals Award for Musical Accomplishment and Human Endeavor and the Faculty Award of Distinguished Merit. He joined the Eastman faculty in 1993 and is co-chair of the strings, harp, and guitar department.
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