Spring 2018 Guitar Ensemble I
This semester, as in so many others, we are having two guitar ensemble concerts, and like the other ones, these both feature primarily mixed chamber music. This season, we have music for guitar with: flute, oboe, violin, viola, viola a gamba and baroque flute, voice, and percussion. This particular concert featured music of Coste, Piazzolla, Britten, Assad and others. A short photographic essay follows, along with the full program. I was immensely pleased with the musical outcome, and the turnout was fantastic. Many thanks to my dedicated studio, for stepping up and playing so very well!
Stephen Fazio was joined by oboist Tanavi Prabhu, in a polished presentation of music by Coste:
Stephen Fazio and oboist Tanavi Prabhu
Flutist Karisma Palmore and Mohit Dubey gave a spirited reading of folk dances, set by Bartok:
Mohit Dubey and Karisma Palmore
Soprano Abigail Hakel-Garcia, with guitarist Collin Sterne, captivated the audience with her interpretation of songs by Britten:
Collin Sterne and Abigail Hakel-Garcia
Mohit Dubey was back on stage then, this time with violist Emily Edelstein, for a compelling reading of four South American popular dances:
Emily Edelstein and Mohit Dubey
Recorder player Peter Lim and Craig Slagh then played some Piazzolla. Peter used four different recorders to do the job. Their interpretation of this music was so electrifying and original, that they had earlier won a position on this year's Dannenberg Honors Concert, which included a run to New York City for an additional performance. As usual, they were hot:
Peter Lim and Craig Slagh
Note their swanky suits!
Finishing up the show, Mohit Dubey returned to the stage for a third time, again with Palmore but with the additional help of percussionist Liam Smith. Their interpretation of a work by Sergio Assad, which they'd been coached on earlier in the semester by the composer, had evolved and was a lively and irresistible conclusion to a terrific night of varied and expertly-played chamber music. (The remaining members of the studio will be on stage with their chamber pieces the following week).
Liam Smith, Mohit Dubey and Karisma Palmore
