2013 GFA winner Anton Baranov played and taught at Oberlin Conservatory this week. He proved a terrific performer and a thoughtful teacher, and left the guitar studio and community much inspired.

His recital, in Kulas Recital Hall, featured works by a wide range of composers. We heard seldom-played works by Luigi Legnani, Yuri Smirnov, Eduardo Sainz de la Maza, the remarkable Italian Sonata by Guido Santorsola, some Tarrega Preludes and the incomparable Variations on a Theme of Sor by Llobet. The audience loved him and brought him back for an encore. 

During the masterclass, Baranov was soft spoken but his English was excellent. 

Stephen Fazio played first, the final movement of Ponce's Sonata 3 (no photo). 

Max Lyman then played the Allemande from Bach's Violin Partita in Bm, BWV 1002. 

Next, Mohit Dubey played Mertz's An Malvina. 

Lenny Renallo played the Prelude from Bach's Lute Suite BWV 997. 

Finally, Jacob Blizard played the Legnani Fantasia. 

Baranov gave a perfect mix of advice about interpretation, style and technical matters, including some interesting observations about strategies in scale playing and fast repeated chords. It was an excellent class. We wish him well on the balance of his US "winner's tour!"