Spring 2023 Guitar Ensemble I

The first of this semester’s two Guitar Ensemble concerts took place last night in Kulas Recital Hall, to a large and enthusiastic crowd. By chance, there were a series of vocal works, followed by an instrumental trio. (Remaining pieces, saved for the next concert, feature the guitar with viola, with cello, with flute and in guitar duet as well as more art songs). There was early music— works by Dowland and Strozzi; classical music—the great Trio in A by Kreutzer, and contemporary, jazzy arrangements of Brazilian popular songs. (Full program at the end of the post).

We began with a cantata by Baroque composer Barbara Strozzi, accompanied expertly by Nik Divall on the theorbo. Soprano Mae Harrell was obviously comfortable navigating the work’s many virtuosic passages while Nik delivered colorful responses and the thunderous low basses we guitarists can only envy. The audience loved it.

Mae Harrell and Nik Divall perform in Kulas Hall.

Next up was Rio Manzanares, accompanying soprano Emma Humann in a presentation of three songs from Brazil. (There were to be five, with the remaining two sung by another soprano, but she was taken ill). Rio and Emma played the sumptuous, romantic music with great care and nuance and the sassy final number, Bia-Ta-Ta, evoked an enthusiastic audience response.

Emma Humann and Rio Manzanares on stage in Kulas Hall

This duo was followed by baritone Graham Lin and Aleksandr Lapshin in a performance of five Dowland Ayres. The duo played expertly together, navigating the many complicated rhythms and meter shifts with flair. Graham sang the music expressively, delivering the Shakespeare-like texts with clarity, nuance and purpose.

Graham Lin with Aleksandr Lapshin perform in Kulas Hall.

Our concert concluded with a substantial classical sonata-form trio comprised of flute, clarinet and guitar. Flutist Dylan Masariego, clarinetist Stephen Coffey and guitarist Josie Stone played with lively enthusiasm and compelling musical shaping. The winds were beautifully matched, their expressive gestures in perfect synch while the guitar’s many melodic solos emerged perfectly from the texture. This three-movement work, nearly 25 minutes of music, was a hit, leading to a raucously exuberant audience response.

Dylan Masariego, Josie Stone and Stephen Coffey perform in Kulas Hall

Bravo to all the performers for an excellent concert!