Seattle Classic Guitar Society

Seattle Classic Guitar Society
International Concert Series, 2012-2013
(scroll down for ticket information)

	Xuefei Yang \| website Saturday, September 29, 2012 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Born in Beijing, now based in the UK, Xuefei (Fei) Yang is acclaimed as one of the world's finest classical guitarists. Born following the Cultural Revolution, an era where Western music & instruments were banned, the fascinating story of Fei's rise to the world stage, is that of a musical pioneer. She was the first ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, and became the first to launch an international professional career. Prodigious musical talent was evident at all stages. As a professional musician, Fei has performed concerts in 40 countries throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. The demand for her music sees Fei keeping a busy international schedule including London's major venues (with several sell-out recitals at London's Wigmore Hall), and concerts at the world's most prestigious venues including Philharmonie Berlin, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Vienna, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, National Auditorium Madrid, Dvorak Hall Prague, Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center New York, plus the main venues across Asia. Fei gave both the first solo guitar, and first guitar concerto, recitals ever in Beijing's National Centre of Performing Arts. In 2003 she performed 54 concerts for the "Night of the Proms" Tour, appearing in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, to a total audience of over 800,000 people. Fei is regularly invited to perform concertos with leading orchestras. This season sees Fei performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Barcelona Symphony, the Halle Orchestra, China National Philharmonic and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. “Ms. Yang demonstrates her feisty virtuosity, impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship in repertory ranging from Albeniz to arrangements of Western pop and Asian songs ... Yang's guitar sings as if she had grown up in the shaded courtyards of Andalusia.” The New York Times
	Michael Partington \| website Saturday, November 10, 2012 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Michael Partington is one of the most engaging of the new generation of concert players. Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine for his "lyricism, intensity and clear technical command," this award-winning British guitarist has performed internationally as a soloist and with ensemble to unanimous critical praise. Audiences are put at ease by his charming stage manner and captivated by his musical interpretations. His innate rhythmic understanding and sense for tonal colour combine to form some of the most memorable phrasing to be heard on the guitar. Mr. Partington has appeared throughout the USA, UK, Canada, Russia and Scandanavia in solo recital, with orchestra and in chamber ensembles. His North American appearances include the first solo guitar recital in Seattle's Benaroya Hall, as well as Town Hall and Meany Theater in Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, New Haven, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, San Francisco, Vancouver, England and Wales. An advocate of new music, he has commissioned and premiered works by Stephen Goss, Bryan Johanson, Toshio Hosokawa, Angelo Gilardino, Tom Baker, Kevin Callahan and others. He is a frequent performer and teacher at festivals and has also performed with Orchestra Seattle, Seattle Chamber Players, Seattle Creative Orchestra, Wenatchee Valley Symphony, Rainier Symphony, Portland State University Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Choral Company, and flutist Paul Taub in the duo Dinamici. Mr. Partington is frequently invited to adjudicate or sit on the jury for local, national and international competitions in the US and Canada, including the Guitar Foundation of America competition, the National finals for the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals, the Music Teachers of North America national finals and the Portland Guitar Competition. His recordings are available on the Rosewood Recordings, Present Sounds and Cadenza Music labels. He currently lives in Seattle where he is director of the Guitar Program at the University of Washington. “The most impressive aspect of this debut recording is the musical maturity that Partington demonstrates throughout ... great dynamic breadth, variety of timbre and deft phrasing.” Soundboard
	David Russell \| website Saturday, February 23, 2013 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997. In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made "adopted son" of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Later the town named a street after him, "Avinguda David Russell". In November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics. After winning the grammy award, the town of Nigran in Spain where he resides, gave him the silver medal of the town in an emotional ceremony. During his studies at the Royal Academy, David Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andres Segovia Competition , the Jose Ramirez Competition and Spain's prestigious Francisco Tarrega Competition. David Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of his musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure. In 2009 David was named honorary member of "Amigos de la Guitarra", the oldest guitar society in Spain. Since 1995 David Russell has an exclusive recording contract with Telarc International, with which he has recorded sixteen CDs up to now, among them Aire Latino, which received a grammy in 2005. “Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension.” The New York Times
	Ben Verdery \| website Saturday, April 27, 2013 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Since 1980 Benjamin Verdery has performed worldwide in theatres and at festivals, including Theatre CarrŽ (Amsterdam); the International Guitar Festival (Havana, Cuba); Wigmore Hall (England); the 92nd Street Y, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera (NYC). His tours regularly take him to Canada, Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. He has recorded and performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, Frederic Hand, William Coulter, Leo Kottke, Anthony Newman, Jessye Norman, Paco Pe–a, Hermann Prey and John Williams. Several composers have composed music for him including Ezra Laderman, Martin Bresnick, Daniel Asia, John Anthony Lennon, Ingram Marshall, Anthony Newman, Roberto Sierra, Van Stiefel and Jack Vees. Of particular note was the commissioning by the Yale University Music Library of a work by Ingram Marshall for classical and electric guitars. Benjamin has released over 15 albums, his most recent being: Happy Here with William Coulter (Mushkatweek) and Branches with works by J.S. Bach, Strauss, Jimi Hendrix, Mozart and the traditional Amazing Grace (Mushkatweek). A prolific composer, many of Benjamin Verdery's compositions have been performed, recorded and published over the years. Most recently, the Assad Duo premiered Ben's newest work, What He Said. Many of Ben's compositions are available at his web site. In addition to his performance tours and recording, since 1985, Benjamin has been chair of the guitar department at the Yale University School of Music and Artistic Director of the bi-annual Yale Guitar Extravaganza. Benjamin Verdery has also been Artistic Director of Art of the Guitar at the 92nd St Y (New York City) since 2006. He is an honorary board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the Swiss Global Foundation and the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts. Each summer Benjamin holds his Annual International Master Class on the Island of Maui (Hawaii). “Iconoclastic and inventive” The New York Times “One of the classical guitar world's most foremost personalities” Classical Guitar Magazine

The SCGS International Concert Series performances are held at Benaroya Hall (Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall) located at 200 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101-3428. Tickets (individual and series) can be purchased via credit card from Rosewood Guitar (206) 297-8788, or the Benaroya Box office (206) 215-4747.

Single Event Tickets: $32 ($25 for SCGS members, students & seniors)
3-Concert Seres $80 ($65 for members, students & seniors)
4-Concert Series: $95 ($80 for SCGS members, students & seniors)

	Xuefei Yang \| website Saturday, September 29, 2012 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Born in Beijing, now based in the UK, Xuefei (Fei) Yang is acclaimed as one of the world's finest classical guitarists. Born following the Cultural Revolution, an era where Western music & instruments were banned, the fascinating story of Fei's rise to the world stage, is that of a musical pioneer. She was the first ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, and became the first to launch an international professional career. Prodigious musical talent was evident at all stages. As a professional musician, Fei has performed concerts in 40 countries throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and North America. The demand for her music sees Fei keeping a busy international schedule including London's major venues (with several sell-out recitals at London's Wigmore Hall), and concerts at the world's most prestigious venues including Philharmonie Berlin, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Vienna, Laeiszhalle Hamburg, National Auditorium Madrid, Dvorak Hall Prague, Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center New York, plus the main venues across Asia. Fei gave both the first solo guitar, and first guitar concerto, recitals ever in Beijing's National Centre of Performing Arts. In 2003 she performed 54 concerts for the "Night of the Proms" Tour, appearing in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, to a total audience of over 800,000 people. Fei is regularly invited to perform concertos with leading orchestras. This season sees Fei performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Barcelona Symphony, the Halle Orchestra, China National Philharmonic and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. “Ms. Yang demonstrates her feisty virtuosity, impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship in repertory ranging from Albeniz to arrangements of Western pop and Asian songs ... Yang's guitar sings as if she had grown up in the shaded courtyards of Andalusia.” The New York Times
	Michael Partington \| website Saturday, November 10, 2012 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Michael Partington is one of the most engaging of the new generation of concert players. Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine for his "lyricism, intensity and clear technical command," this award-winning British guitarist has performed internationally as a soloist and with ensemble to unanimous critical praise. Audiences are put at ease by his charming stage manner and captivated by his musical interpretations. His innate rhythmic understanding and sense for tonal colour combine to form some of the most memorable phrasing to be heard on the guitar. Mr. Partington has appeared throughout the USA, UK, Canada, Russia and Scandanavia in solo recital, with orchestra and in chamber ensembles. His North American appearances include the first solo guitar recital in Seattle's Benaroya Hall, as well as Town Hall and Meany Theater in Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, New Haven, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, San Francisco, Vancouver, England and Wales. An advocate of new music, he has commissioned and premiered works by Stephen Goss, Bryan Johanson, Toshio Hosokawa, Angelo Gilardino, Tom Baker, Kevin Callahan and others. He is a frequent performer and teacher at festivals and has also performed with Orchestra Seattle, Seattle Chamber Players, Seattle Creative Orchestra, Wenatchee Valley Symphony, Rainier Symphony, Portland State University Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Choral Company, and flutist Paul Taub in the duo Dinamici. Mr. Partington is frequently invited to adjudicate or sit on the jury for local, national and international competitions in the US and Canada, including the Guitar Foundation of America competition, the National finals for the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals, the Music Teachers of North America national finals and the Portland Guitar Competition. His recordings are available on the Rosewood Recordings, Present Sounds and Cadenza Music labels. He currently lives in Seattle where he is director of the Guitar Program at the University of Washington. “The most impressive aspect of this debut recording is the musical maturity that Partington demonstrates throughout ... great dynamic breadth, variety of timbre and deft phrasing.” Soundboard
	David Russell \| website Saturday, February 23, 2013 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997. In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made "adopted son" of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Later the town named a street after him, "Avinguda David Russell". In November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics. After winning the grammy award, the town of Nigran in Spain where he resides, gave him the silver medal of the town in an emotional ceremony. During his studies at the Royal Academy, David Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andres Segovia Competition , the Jose Ramirez Competition and Spain's prestigious Francisco Tarrega Competition. David Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of his musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure. In 2009 David was named honorary member of "Amigos de la Guitarra", the oldest guitar society in Spain. Since 1995 David Russell has an exclusive recording contract with Telarc International, with which he has recorded sixteen CDs up to now, among them Aire Latino, which received a grammy in 2005. “Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension.” The New York Times
	Ben Verdery \| website Saturday, April 27, 2013 Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya, 7:30 PM Masterclass Information Since 1980 Benjamin Verdery has performed worldwide in theatres and at festivals, including Theatre CarrŽ (Amsterdam); the International Guitar Festival (Havana, Cuba); Wigmore Hall (England); the 92nd Street Y, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera (NYC). His tours regularly take him to Canada, Europe, Asia and throughout the United States. He has recorded and performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, Frederic Hand, William Coulter, Leo Kottke, Anthony Newman, Jessye Norman, Paco Pe–a, Hermann Prey and John Williams. Several composers have composed music for him including Ezra Laderman, Martin Bresnick, Daniel Asia, John Anthony Lennon, Ingram Marshall, Anthony Newman, Roberto Sierra, Van Stiefel and Jack Vees. Of particular note was the commissioning by the Yale University Music Library of a work by Ingram Marshall for classical and electric guitars. Benjamin has released over 15 albums, his most recent being: Happy Here with William Coulter (Mushkatweek) and Branches with works by J.S. Bach, Strauss, Jimi Hendrix, Mozart and the traditional Amazing Grace (Mushkatweek). A prolific composer, many of Benjamin Verdery's compositions have been performed, recorded and published over the years. Most recently, the Assad Duo premiered Ben's newest work, What He Said. Many of Ben's compositions are available at his web site. In addition to his performance tours and recording, since 1985, Benjamin has been chair of the guitar department at the Yale University School of Music and Artistic Director of the bi-annual Yale Guitar Extravaganza. Benjamin Verdery has also been Artistic Director of Art of the Guitar at the 92nd St Y (New York City) since 2006. He is an honorary board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the Swiss Global Foundation and the D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts. Each summer Benjamin holds his Annual International Master Class on the Island of Maui (Hawaii). “Iconoclastic and inventive” The New York Times “One of the classical guitar world's most foremost personalities” Classical Guitar Magazine