The SCGS Benaroya Concert Series opens with Paul Galbraith, whose ground-breaking playing style and sensitive musicality have held audiences spellbound and brought world-wide acclaim.  His 1998 Delos recording of his transcription of Bach's complete works for solo violin received superlative critical reviews, and was chosen as one of the two best classical CDs of 1998 by Gramophone.  Galbraith plays a custom designed 8-string guitar designed by himself and the late British luthier David Rubio.  The guitar is supported by a metal endpin which rests on a wooden, acoustically resonant box.  The increased range has enabled Mr. Galbraith to transcribe works of composers not normally associated with the guitar, including Haydn, Schubert and Brahms.
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Michael Partington is one of the most engaging of the new generation of concert players.  Praised by David Russell for his 'exquisite good taste and fluid perfection', this award-winning British guitarist has performed internationally as soloist and in ensemble, to unanimous praise from audiences and critics alike.  His debut CD, 20th Century Guitar, released in 1998 for the Rosewood Recordings label, prompted Classical Guitar Magazine to notice his 'lyricism intensity and clear technical command'.  Mr Partington makes his home in Seattle where he has performed with the Seattle Creative Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Choral, and the newly formed Seattle Guitar Quartet.

Steven Novacek, guitarist, known for his expressive interpretations, superb tone quality and technical precision and whose playing has been described as 'warm, lively and synchronous' (The New York Times) has long demonstrated a performance versatility that is exceptional among guitarists.  Steven Novacek has endeavored to bring new vitality to the world of guitar through transcriptions for guitar duo, solo guitar and for guitar and piano.  He directs the guitar and lute programs  at the University of Washington and the Guitar Department at Cornish College for the Arts.

Novacek studied at California State University at Northridge. He has received National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Fellowships, and has toured widely in Europe and Latin America. His exciting recordings cover a wide range of guitar literature, two examples being Guitar Music of the Americas (Ambassador, 1994) and his recent Tangos and Valses (Ambassador, 2002); for an interesting review by Steven Rings, click here.

John Novacek, pianist, 'is a commanding presence at the keyboard', writes the Los Angeles Times, 'not just because of sterling technique but also his virile, integrated playing.'  A much sought-after collaborative artist, he has played with Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Leila Josefowicz and others.  A top prize-winner in international competitions, he regularly tours world-wide as both recitalist and concerto soloist.

David Tanenbaum, recognized internationally as an outstanding performer and recording artist, is one of the most admired classical guitarist of his generation.  He has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the former Soviet Union and Asia, and in 1988 he became the first American guitarist to be invited to perform in China.  Mr Tanenbaum's repertoire encompasses diverse styles and he is recognized as one of today's most eloquent proponents of new guitar repertoire.  Among the many works written for him is Hans Werner Henze's Guitar Concerto, An Eine Aolscharfe, Terry Riley's first guitar piece, Ascension, four works by 1998 Pulitzer Prize Winner Aaron Jay Kernis, tow pieces by Roberto Sierra, and a recent suite by Lou Harrison.

David Russell, a Scotsman living in Spain, is world-renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, as well as his soft-spoken sincerity and conviction.  Hailed by The New York Times as "a talent of extraordinary dimension," he is considered to b one of today's greatest performers of the classical guitar.  For the past decade, his virtuosity and supreme musicality have made him a legend among classical guitarists throughout the world.  He has won many international guitar competitions. Composers Guido Santorsola, Jorge Morel, Francis Kleynjans and Carlo Domeniconi have all dedicated works to him.  Mr. Russell's vast discography includes solo, duo and orchestral repertoire and spans the Baroque to the avant-garde. They include a masterful 1995 presentation of Barrios' works on Telarc.   In Master Classes given during his Seattle visits, he has filled both the performers and audiences with ideas and inspiration. There is an  interview of Russell by the premier guitarist and teacher Manuel Barrueco which gives a feel for his personality, and an account of a 2001 master class with the Edmonton Classical Guitar Soceity.