Elise's groupmuse on Sun, Sep 13

3 Preludes for Lute - J.S. Bach (Arr. F. Koonce & rev. C. Winston)
Bwv 999 - C Minor
Bwv 998 - Eb Major
Bwv 997- C Minor

Suite Venezolana - A. Lauro
I. Registro
II. Danza Negra
III. Cancion
IV. Vals

intermission

El Decameron Negro - Leo Brouwer
I. El Arpa del Guerrero
II. La Huida de los Amantes por el Valle de los Ecos
III. Ballada de la Doncella Enamorada

Lettre Encore - R. Dyens

Hommage a Piazzolla - U.U. Warnecke

Farewell - S. Assad

I'm excited to present my program of modern classical guitar music from the Americas set in conversation with selections by Bach. The composers featured in this concert were all active during the 20th and 21st centuries and practicing in the Americas or otherwise heavily influenced by the musical cultures of the Western Hemisphere.

From the tango sound of Warnecke's "Hommage a Piazzolla" to the modern indigenous-afro-latin rhythms and post tonal exploration of Leo Brouwer and Antonio Lauro, this music showcases the diverse culture guitar music and its unique character in classical music.

I've chosen to include works by the great German Maestro, J.S. Bach as his lute music is now some of the most widely performed music on the guitar. Though not originally written for the guitar, the lute suites were composed for its older ancestor; and, in arrangement, these pieces have become an essential part of modern classical guitar repertoire for their beauty and complexity.