The nearby guitar program at The University of Akron, run by my alumnus and old friend, James Marron, hosted (in collaboration with the Kulas Foundation and the Tuesday Musical Club) an appearance by the Beijing Guitar Duo yesterday. The Beijing Guitar Duo has been an increasingly vivid presence on the international guitar scene, with performances on several continents, numerous recordings, and important teaching posts. This was their first appearance at the U of Akron. Before their evening concert, they gave a master class for students in the area. Two were from the Cleveland Institute of Music and two were from my studio at Oberlin.

Suvan Agarwal played Ponce’s Sonata Romantica, 4th movement. Meng Su had lots of interesting observations and suggestions. Yameng Wang, her duo partner (wearing mask) didn’t contribute to the conversation.

Nik Divall played next, performing an arrangement of Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso from Miroirs. This complex piano piece is an exercise in virtuosity on the guitar, and, while Nik is still sorting out some parts, most of it landed well and the audience was clearly appreciative of his accomplishments.

Once again, Meng Su did all the teaching (Yameng Wang did not say anything at all during the entire master class). The comments were all helpful, focusing on technical solutions to some of the many challenges in making this music work on guitar. Nik tried each suggestion with interest.

The concert the duo presented focused on arrangements, and featured mostly French and Spanish music. Their performance was highly polished and finely nuanced, with flashes of muscular virtuosity only where the music called for it. They finished with an original piece for two guitars - the much beloved Tango Suite of Piazzolla. The audience brought them back for a well-deserved encore, a Chinese folk song, arranged with thoughtful simplicity by Tan Dun.

The full program is reproduced below. Many thanks to James Marron, The University of Akron, the Kulas Foundation and the Tuesday Musical Club, for sponsoring and organizing this event!