2010-2011 Sundin Hall Concert Series
This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Roland Dyens
Concert: Saturday, September 25th, 2010
Masterclass: Sunday, September 26th, 2010
Roland Dyens has a sensitive and colorful approach to the guitar - an unfailing open-mindedness which brings together all forms of music to each and every one of his programs. His stage presence, his improvised openings and unique relationship with the listeners undeniably position him at the forefront of guitar performance today. For a long time now, his music has been an integral part of the instrument’s repertoire, placing him at the heart of a select group of contemporary guitarist/composers who enjoy such a privileged position.
His compositions and arrangements are widely performed and highly acclaimed throughout the world. They provide a new breath of life for the guitar as this player and composer never ceases to challenge the limitations of his instrument. The growing number of participants and auditors in Roland Dyens’ master classes is surely due to the depth of his approach which is rich in innovative themes. With a keen sense of quality and emotional strength, his natural ability to communicate with younger generations of guitarists transforms the formality of a master class into a joyful encounter.
Laura Young
Saturday, October 23, 2010 in St. Paul
(Friday, October 22, 2010 in Duluth)
Born in Toronto of Russian and Irish heritage, Laura began her study of music at the age of seven and became an educated student of the guitar when she was nine years old. With a rare passion and intensity, she applied herself to technical mastery of the instrument, building on the exceptional musicality evident from the moment she began to play. Laura Young From the time she was just a young girl and at every step of her career, Laura has been recognized as a gifted artist; winning prestigious prizes at international competitions such as the “Andrés Segovia” in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and the “Jacinto e Inocencio Guererro” in Madrid, Spain, among many others.
Paris Guitar Duo (Jérémy Jouve and Judicaël Perroy)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Judicaël Perroy and Jérémy Jouve surely share a lot of common points. Both of them were Prize-winners from the "Ecole Normale de musique de Paris"and the Paris National Conservatory of Music in Alberto Ponce 's class. Both of them have received 1st Prizes at the prestigious International Guitar Foundation of America Competition, which was followed by a 50 concert tour in Canada , Mexico and United-States. These two musicians met in Paris, where they decided to form a duet. Their repertoire goes from Baroque to contemporary music with a special interest for French music. Both Judicaël Perroy's and Jérémy Jouve's careers go towards teaching and solo performing, and at the same time they develop their duet with passion and great enthusiasm. They have recently recorded for the Naxos Label the Joaquin Rodrigo's “Tonadilla”,which came out in March 2008.
Guitarathon
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Acoustic Guitarathon returns to our series after a several-year hiatus. Curated by Ben Woolman, this season's edition of the popular event will feature some of the rising stars of the region's steel-string guitar community. .
Aliéksey Vianna with the Artaria String Quartet
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Aliéksey is equally at home performing classical guitar solos, concerti, chamber works, jazz and Brazilian music with unique artistry and a technical expertise that are compelling to critics and the general public. Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Aliéksey has performed in prestigious music venues in over twenty countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, San Francisco Bay Area’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Yoshi’s Jazz Club, Mexico City’s Nezahualcoyotl and Sao Paulo’s Sala Ester Mesquita.
A warm, rich sound is the hallmark of the Artaria String Quartet. Named after the Italian family that published the premier issues of many of the Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven quartets, Artaria's refined and thoughtful playing has brought them critical acclaim in Europe and throughout the United States. The Boston Globe has described Artaria as "exquisitely balanced and sonorous" and opined that "their musical understanding was first-rate". Firmly rooted in the tradition of chamber music masterpieces, the Artaria String Quartet is also a staunch advocate of contemporary composers. With the American Composers Forum, League ISCM, and through their own initiative, they have premiered a wide array of new works and have numerous dedications to their credit.
Florian Larousse
Saturday, February 19, 2011
(Friday, February 18, 2011 in Duluth)
Born in 1988, Florian Larousse began his study of the guitar at the age of eight with Philippe Vanderstichel. He continued his musical education under the tutelage of guitarist Pedro Ibanez at the Conservatoire National de Région de Paris and obtained the first prize in 2006. Entering the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris the same year, he studied in Roland Dyens’s class while also working intensively with Judicaël Perroy. His recent victories at the Guitar Foundation of America’s competition in 2009 and the Hubert Kappel competition in Koblenz have assured him a large international audience with a series of concerts planned in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Germany and elsewhere. Florian Larousse’s international awards also include first prize at the José Tomás International Competition in 2007, second prize at the Southwest Guitar festival, San Antonio, Texas, third prize at the International Competition of Iserlohn, Germany, and third prize at the International Competition of Sernancelhe, Portugal. He plays a guitar by the French luthier Hugo Cuvilliez and is endorsed by Savarez strings.
Eden-Stell Duo
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Eden Stell Guitar Duo (Mark Eden and Christopher Stell) are one of the most innovative guitar ensembles in the world. Their dynamic performances have won great acclaim and delighted audiences whether they perform a baroque transcription or a new contemporary commission. The duo have recorded six CDs, performed in over 20 countries, had concerto engagements with renowned ensembles such as the Prague Chamber Orchestra, and are the only guitarists since Julian Bream to receive an ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone Magazine. Both hold teaching positions at the Royal College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire. Mark and Chris were elected Associates of the Royal Academy of Music in recognition of their performing achievements.
Stephen Bennett
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Stephen Bennett is an extraordinary musician, an acknowledged master of the harp guitar, a challenging teacher, a gifted composer, and a performer of astounding sensitivity. The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association calls him “the Jedi Master of Fingerstyle Guitar”.
Stephen is also is the founder of the Harp Guitar Gathering, an event that celebrated its seventh season in October of 2009. The HGG seeks to celebrate all things harp guitar as it brings players, luthiers, scholars and fans together for a weekend of performances, workshops and camaraderie. Whether playing his great-grandfather’s harp guitar, slide on his National resonator guitar, or a standard six-string, Stephen Bennett is a musician to hear. His music has won awards and critical praise. In live performance and on record, his diverse musical influences and interests are joined in a life-long love affair with the sound of guitar strings.
Classical Guitarathon
Saturday, May 28, 2011
An annual tradition, and the first event our Society ever presented. The Classical Guitarathon always features old friends and new faces, solos and ensembles, great music and exciting playing. Plan to celebrate the finale of our fine season with us!