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| Seattle Classic Guitar Society |
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Bokyung Byun (South Korea) "a masterful guitarist . . . deft, powerful technique." - The New York Times |
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Beijing Guitar Duo (China) Iliana Matos has an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades that has earned her a place among the world's pre-eminent guitarists. She has performed extensively throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Cuban-born Iliana Matos has lived in Canada since 2013 and has become a favourite in the Canadian guitar scene. With her love of contemporary music and desire to develop the guitar repertoire, Iliana Matos has premiered works by numerous composers, including Eduardo Morales, Tomás Marco, Zulema de la Cruz, Gabriel Estarellas, Flores Chaviano, Ileana Pérez, Madays Andino, Ñico Rojas, Yalil Guerra, Luis Mario Ochoa and Eduardo Martín. Matos made history as the first woman to win the prestigious S.A.R. La Infanta Doña Cristina International Guitar Competition, and as the only person to win the special prize for Best Interpretation of Spanish Music in two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996. She was a prize-winner at eleven major international competitions, including first prizes at the Andrés Segovia, Luys Milán, and Manuel Ponce international guitar competitions. Of her talent, the legendary guitarist Maria Luisa Anido said: "I am impressed by your wonderful guitarristic art, and I am proud to know that a woman (and a Cuban woman!) came to such a degree of artistic perfection." "Her name deserves to go down in guitar history as one of the great players of our time." - Classical Guitar Magazine |
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David Russell (Scotland/Spain) The Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is one of the most multifaceted groups in any genre. The LAGQ is comprised of four uniquely accomplished musicians bringing a new energy to the concert stage with programs ranging from Bluegrass to Bach. They consistently play to sold-out houses world-wide. Their inventive, critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground. Programs including Latin, African, Far East, Irish, Folk and American Classics transport listeners around the world in a single concert experience. Their 'Don Quixote' collaboration with Firesign Theater veteran, actor Philip Proctor, continues to expand and delight audiences and the work 'SHIKI: Seasons of Japan' written for the LAGQ plus guitar orchestra by composer Shingo Fujii is connecting communities across the nation. Winner of a 2005 Grammy Award, their "Guitar Heroes" CD released on Telarc is a brilliant follow-up to their Grammy nominated "LAGQ-Latin". "Spin" continues their explorations of jazz and contemporary music. "LAGQ: BRAZIL", including collaborations with vocalist Luciana Souza, was released to rave reviews, and their newest recording of the Rodrigo "Concierto Andaluz" and Sergio Assad's "Interchange", written specifically for them, quickly climbed to top spot on the Billboard charts. |
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A-Z Duo (Aniello Desiderio, Zoran Dukic) (Italy/Croatia) Berta Rojas ranks among today's foremost classical guitarists. She has been praised as "guitarist extraordinaire" by the Washington Post and by Classical Guitar Magazine as "Ambassador of the classical guitar." Berta was awarded a Latin Grammy for her album Legado, in the category of Best Classical Album and her acknowledged warmth and musicality have earned her the admiration of audiences at major venues worldwide. Berta takes her audience on a colorful journey of sound at each concert, embracing new works by composers in diverse genres. Berta Rojas has been ranked amongst the most influential women in the Hispanic world. The Foreign Ministry of Paraguay gave her the National Order of Merit Don José Falcón in 2017 in acknowledgement for her outstanding contribution to culture. The Carlos Colombino Award, bestowed by the National Secretariat of Culture, followed suit. More recently in 2023, she was awarded with the National Order of Merit in the Grade of "Grand Cross", the highest degree of recognition granted by Paraguay. "One runs out of superlatives when writing about Berta Rojas, it has all been said before, countless times." *Due to recent changes by the U.S. Government, causing extremely lengthy approval & processing times to secure a performer work visa, Dale Kavanagh is unable to tour in the United States this Spring. We will reschedule her for a performance on a future concert series. SCGS is excited and honored that the amazing, Grammy-winning guitarist, Berta Rojas, will be stepping in to perform on May 3rd. Tickets already purchased for the Dale Kavahaugh concert will be honored at this event. |
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All performances take place at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, By Mail: By Phone: In Person: Note that seniors, students, and SCGS members receive significant discounts on tickets! All current SCGS members will receive a separate email or letter with the online discount code. |
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 Jorge Caballero, Saturday, September 28, 2024 |
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| Iliana Matos, Saturday, November 16, 2024 |
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| Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Saturday, April 5, 2025 |
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| Berta Rojas, Saturday, May 3, 2025 |
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Benaroya Hall: For updated information on COVID-19 protocols at Benaroya Hall, please visit: |
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