MGS Mission Statement Promote the guitar in all its stylistic and cultural diversity through sponsorship of public forums, concerts, and workshops. Serve as an educational and social link between the community and amateur and professional guitarists of all ages.
A Publication of the Minnesota Guitar Society • P.O. Box 14986 • Minneapolis, MN 55414 May / june 2016 VOL. 32 NO. 3 2015-2016 Sundin Music Hall Concert Series Annual Classical Guitarathon Saturday, June 4, 2016, 8 p.m.
Minnesota Guitar Society ~~ Find us and like us on Facebook! From the editor: Sundin Music Hall 2015-2016 It is spring, the trees are flowering, the grass is green and our Concert Season — Finale! final concerts for this season, our thirtieth year, will be presented in May and June. The Brasil Guitar Duo in March performed bril- liantly and delighted an enthusiastic house. The duo exclaimed over the extraordinary acoustics of Sundin Music Hall – saying Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 8 p.m. they have never played on a stage so well suited to the acous- Classical Guitarathon tic temperament of the guitar. We are incredibly fortunate in Minnesota to have great stages and loyal audiences. Tickets can be ordered online or via mail. Our Community Concert series/partnership with Hosmer Library will finish with a unique opportunity to hear pieces writ- Individual Tickets: $25 (general admission), ten by our very own dinosaur and patron composer, Fernando $20 (MGS members & seniors) Sor, for guitar and voice, performed by Eva Beneke and Nerea $10 (students & patrons with limited means). Berraondo. I encourage you to wear your MGS t-shirt to the con- cert. Our Classical Guitarathon will be a great finale to the season – and includes a rare performance by Kristian Anderson of the Tantalus Quartet. This Guitarathon, more than ever before, show- cases the new faces of the classical guitar scene of Minnesota Sundin Music Hall is on the - young people, women and international artists now studying Hamline University Campus at and making their home in the Twin Cities. 1536 Hewitt Ave. in St. Paul. This summer we will begin promotion and ongoing fund- raising for our upcoming season, and will be announcing our Directions: from I-94, head north on line up for 2016-17 at the Classical Guitarathon. Check out the Snelling Ave. in St. Paul, past University Ave. to Hewitt Ave. many other guitar and guitar related concerts/events that are Turn right, Sundin Hall is on your left, a half-block east of featured on our News and Notes page, don’t forget to add your Snelling. Free parking is available one block past the hall, in lots events, and check the calendar page on our
Board Officers To reserve tickets for any Sundin Music Hall PRESIDENT: Mark Bussey concert, please call 612-677-1151 or visit VICE-PRESIDENT: Joanne Backer the MGS web site,
Board Members Kris Anderson Al Norton Annett Richter Joe Haus Chris Becknell Tech Guru: Jim Campbell WebMaster: Amy Lytton Newsletter EDITOR: Emily Wright Newsletter PRODUCTION: i draw the line, inc. Fox Ridge Printing Newsletter DISTRIBUTION: Joe Haus Chris Olson Chris Becknell Jim Falbo Doug Wright Doug Whorton Al Norton
www.mnguitar.org
2 guitarist Classical Guitarathon
Daniel Volovets a collection of works by contemporary guitar composers, such Medallon Antiguo – Agustin Barrios as Roland Dyens, Carlo Domeniconi, Paulo Bellinati; Serbian A Meadow by the Sea – Daniel Volovets composers Dusan Bogdanovic and Vojislav Ivanovic; popular Prelude #5 – Heitor Villa-Lobos Brazilian/Latin, as well as Renaissance music. Daniel Volovets is a guitarist, Eva Beneke composer, arranger, and instructor Tiento Antiguo – Joaquin Rodrigo specializing in classical, flamenco, En los Trigales – Joaquin Rodrigo Latin American, and jazz music. Adagio & Fuga from BWV 1001 – J. S. Bach Although born in the United Born in East-Berlin, Eva Beneke States, his music is informed first began her studies at the Berlin and foremost by his Russian heri- University of Arts with Prof. Martin tage. Over the past 16 years, Daniel Rennert. Her success there led her to has studied with several guitar the Franz Liszt Hochschule in Weimar masters, including the renowned to study with Prof. Thomas Müller- Russian classical guitarist Anatoly Pering, one of Germany’s most influ- Shapiro, classical/flamenco guitar- ential guitarists. In 2012, Eva received ist Tony Hauser, and the legendary a doctorate with honors from the flamenco guitarist “El Payo” Humberto Wilkes, a student of Niño University of Southern California in Ricardo (1904 - 1972). Daniel performs frequently throughout Los Angeles where she studied with the Twin Cities and particularly enjoys exploring the harmonic Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero and jazz- and tonal possibilities of the guitar in unique arrangements and guitar legend Bruce Forman. compositions for both solo guitar and various ensembles. Daniel In addition to prizes at international has recorded several CDs, including his latest Wistful Tendrils. He guitar festivals in The Netherlands, graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2014 with a B.S. in Italy and the U.S., Eva Beneke is an Neuroscience and currently attends the University of Minnesota internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and pub- Medical School. He aspires to balance careers in medicine and lished arranger. Her performances have been broadcast nation- music, inspired by the American jazz pianist/psychiatrist Denny ally and internationally on radio and television, such as NPR ́s Zeitlin and Polish composer/otolaryngologist Krzysztof Komeda. “Performance Today.” Highlights of her career include appear- Duo Mediterranean Breeze - ances with the German Symphony Orchestra under Kent Nagano, Branko Barnic & Milena Petkovic invitations to international music festivals in Peru, Germany, Jongo – Paulo Bellinati Lithuania, the U.S. and Canada, and a live performance with Balkan Express – Vojislav Ivanovic Carrie Underwood at the 2010 American Country Music Awards. Guitar duo, Mediterranean Breeze was formed in 2013 by Her latest CD, In Dulci Jubilo - A Classical Guitar Christmas, is a Milena Petkovic and duo-collaboration with Grammy-winning guitarist Scott Tennant Branko Barnic. Milena (L.A.G.Q.). and Branko completed In the Fall of 2012, Eva Beneke joined the faculty at McNally their bachelor degrees Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she main- in guitar performance at tains an active guitar studio. the Academy of Arts in Magdalena Loza Flores Novi Sad, Serbia. They from Lute Suite II (BWV 997) – J. S. Bach continued their educa- -Prelude tion at the prestigious -Sarabande from Suite I (Weiss Suite) – Manuel M. Ponce Jacobs School of Music at -Prelude Indiana University under -Allemande the guidance of the world renowned guitarist, Maestro Ernesto Magdalena Loza Flores has Bitetti. Currently, they are both graduate students and Teaching played as a soloist and as a mem- Assistants at the University of Minnesota School of Music with ber of ensembles throughout Professor Maja Radovanlija. Mexico and the United States. Besides regular academic performances, the duo has performed She has performed in New at guitar festivals and various concerts and events in Indiana York City with the dance com- and Twin Cities. Repertoire of “Mediterranean Breeze” includes pany “Mujeres en Ritual” and in the Sydney Opera House Classical Guitar Instruction with the Southwestern College beginning/advanced Choir. Magdalena performed with the San Diego Opera in Joseph Massenet’s Don Quixotte and in Pizzeti’s Murder in the Cathedral and she has been featured in Hagedorn the symphonic work Misa Azteca in Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney University of River Falls, WI Faculty Member Concert Hall and in the Apollo Theatre on the island of Syros, 6 1 2 • 3 7 4 • 4 6 8 1 continued on p. 4 may / june 3 Classical Guitarathon
Classical Guitarathon, continued from p. 3 tar competitions and has concertized at festivals and guitar soci- Greece. Along with performing, Magdalena has great interest in eties throughout the United States. pedagogy and has taught both privately and as a faculty mem- As a composer, he has written and arranged several pieces ber at Southwestern College in San Diego. Recently, Magdalena for solo guitar, guitar duo, and guitar quartet. His solo piece has enjoyed performing in outreach recitals organized by the “Improvisation” was recently published in Soundboard maga- Minnesota Orchestra featuring her flute and guitar duo. zine, and his new quartet “Ignes Fatui” is featured on the latest recording from the Tantalus Quartet. Darka Kooienga Kristian also performs regularly in a variety of different set- Villancico de Navidad – Agustin Barrios tings outside of classical guitar. Credits include the Broadway Choro da Saudade – Agustin Barrios Tour of Legally Blonde: The Musical, on electric guitar with the Una Limosna por el amor de Dios – Agustin Barrios North Carolina Symphony, and approximately 400 shows a year Native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, throughout the Twin Cities as a professional theater musician. Darka Kooienga started playing the A passionate educator, Kristian has lectured, adjudicated com- guitar at the age of eight. During her petitions, and given masterclasses throughout the United States elementary and high school music and abroad. He has held faculty positions the University of North education, in Bosnia, she won sev- Texas and Thomas University, and now heads guitar studies at eral first prizes in Federal competi- North Hennepin Community College in Minneapolis. His past tions as a soloist and in a guitar duo students have gone on to win competitions and been accepted (Duo Mirić) with her twin sister. She into the studios at Florida State, Arizona State, the University of graduated from Mississippi College. North Texas, and McNally Smith College of Music. During her undergraduate studies, His primary teachers include esteemed pedagogues Bruce she was the winner at Mississippi Holzman, Frank Koonce, Thomas Johnson, and Alan Johnston. Music Teachers Association and Mississippi Federated Music He has also studied under guitar luminaries Oscar Ghiglia, Leo Club competitions, as well as a prize winner at Mississippi Brouwer, Roland Dyens, Odair Assad, among many more. Guitar Festival competitions. Mrs. Kooienga holds an MM from 2nd Street Quartet Southern Methodist University and a DMA from University of Variations on La Folia - David Crittenden Minnesota. Oye Como Va - Tito Puente, arr. Lee Sollory As a member of Duo Mirić, she performed in Ensemble Olivia Rapp, Showcase at the Guitar Foundation of America convention in Lukas Murdych, Louisville (KY), Fort Worth Guitar Festival (TX), and Schubert Silvia Miller, Club Courtroom Concert series (Saint Paul, MN). Most recently, and Lili Kareken the duo was part of the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society 2015-2016 have been playing concert series where they were also featured artists in residence. together in the 2nd Darka’s principal teachers were Robert Guthrie, Jeffrey Van, Dr. Street Guitar Quartet John Ingwerson, Dr. James Flegel, and Dr. Maja Radovanlija. She for a little over three resides with her husband in St. Paul where she is a private guitar years. Their ages instructor and plays a 2010 Dake Traphangen guitar. range from 9 to 12 Kris Anderson years old, but they Preambulo & Allegro vivo – Manuel M. Ponce have been studying guitar for a combined total of 27 years! Four Canciones Populares Catalanas - arr. Miguel Llobet The 2nd Street Guitar Quartet has performed at MIA, the James La Preso De Lleida J. Hill House for the annual MN Without Poverty Dinner, Edina El Testament De N’Amelia Art Fair, and many La Filla del Marxant recitals and events El Noy De La Mare at MacPhail Center for Music. They have Kristian Anderson’s versatility also participated as a musician has resulted in a thriv- in Master Classes ing performing career, covering a with Mir Ali, Elina wide range of endeavors and accom- Chekan, and Rene plishments. Izquierdo, as well Upon completing his doctoral as the Los Angeles degree with Bruce Holzman at Guitar Quartet. Florida State University, Kristian Lukas studies indi- returned to his native Minneapolis, vidual Suzuki guitar MN in 2008, where he has been in with Brent Weaver demand both in and out of the clas- while Olivia, Silvia, sical realm. and Lili study indi- A founding member of the Tantalus Quartet, he has per- vidual Suzuki guitar formed throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall, the GFA with Jean Seils at Festival, the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium, National Polish Radio, MacPhail Center for and more. Music in downtown As a soloist, he is a gold medal winner of several classical gui- Minneapolis.
4 guitarist The Art of the Early Guitar — by Phillip Rukavina
News & Notes
Concerts Volterra Project - 7-15 July 2016 Lowertown Classics An innovative and intensive classical guitar workshop in the heart of Tuscany inspired and directed by Antigoni Goni. The May 13, 8 p.m. Eva Beneke and Nerea Berraondo, Classical Volterra Project is an innovative experiment in classical guitar Guitar/Voice. Eva plays as part of Lowertown Classics series in training offering a 360 degree formative course with highest the Atrium at 255 Kellogg Blvd. E., St. Paul.
6 guitarist Artist Spotlight: Eva Beneke and Nerea Berraondo
Eva Beneke and Nerea Community Berraondo Concert Series The Minnesota Guitar Society is The 2015-16 Community Concert delighted and hon- Series at Hosmer Library concludes ored to present a with an extraordinary recital of guitar and vocal works for guitar and voice written by recital with clas- the composer/dinosaur patron saint sical guitarist Eva of the Minnesota Guitar Society, Beneke and Mezzo- Fernando Sor. Soprano, Nerea Tune into KFAI radio for an inter- Berraondo. Spanish view and on air performance, May mezzo-sopra- 8, 9 a.m. The recital will be held Sat., no Nerea Berraondo May 14, at 2 p.m., at Hosmer Library, and guitarist Eva 347 E. 36th St., Minneapolis, and is Beneke from Nerea and Eva are scheduled to record in Toronto free and open to the public. Germany, who both now live in St. at the end of April, and will perform locally on Paul, met through mutual musical friends, and began exploring May 13 at Lowertown Classics (St. Paul, 8 p.m.) and the Spanish voice/guitar repertoire. As a result of this collabora- at Hosmer Library on May 14, 2 p.m. tion and the immense support and critical acclaim they received so far, they have been signed by the acclaimed NAXOS label to undertake a complete recording of Fernando Sor´s repertoire University of Arts with Prof. Martin Rennert. Her success there for voice and guitar. This recording project will include Sor´s led her to the Franz Liszt Hochschule in Weimar to study with famous Seguidillas, along with some lesser known songs, Lied, Prof. Thomas Müller-Pering, one of Germany’s most influential Arrangements of Mozart’s Don Giovanni Arias and other yet to be guitarists. In 2012, Eva received a doctorate with honors from discovered treasures. the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where she studied with Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero and jazz-guitar leg- Nerea Berraondo is a native of Pamplona, Spain. At 28 she has end Bruce Forman. In addition to prizes at international guitar already sung in many of the major opera houses of Europe. Nerea festivals in The Netherlands, Italy and the U.S., Eva Beneke is an has collaborated with Cecilia Bartoli, Jordi Saval and Alan internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and pub- Curtis (to name a few) and performs as a 16th to 19th century lished arranger. Her performances have been broadcast nation- repertoire specialist in the biggest stages worldwide, including ally and internationally on radio and television, such as NPR´s London and Madrid. Ms. Berraondo has worked with symphonic “Performance Today”. orchestras, as well as early music conductors and orchestras. Highlights of her career include appearances with the German Recently she has recorded Biagio Marini’s vocal music with her Symphony Orchestra and invitations for festival appearances ensemble Aldatu on the Arsis recording label and Demofonte in Peru, Mexico, Germany, Lithuania, the U.S. and Canada. Her by Gluck with il Complesso Barocco conducted by Alan Curtis. latest CD, In Dulci Jubilo - A Classical Guitar Christmas, is a duo- Ms. Berraondo has won international prizes and competitions collaboration with Grammy®-winning guitarist Scott Tennant including Juventudes Musicales de España and Julián Gayarre (L.A.G.Q.). An active chamber musician, arranger and educator, International Singing Competition. In 2012 she was bestowed Eva Beneke joined the faculty of McNallySmith College of Music a Merit Award by the Centro Nacional de Difusión Musical in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2012. (CNDM). She had the honor of performing at the opening recital Reviews of her work include: “Eva Beneke next took the stage of the CNDM season to an audience of 3,000 with Eduardo López and took us in an entirely different direction and new heights. Banzo. She shared that season with soloists Ceclia Bartoli and She is a musician to be reckoned with and we will hear more Jordi Savall. from her in the future.” (Brantford Expositor, February 9, 2012). Reviews of her work include: “Eva Beneke’s transcriptions and performances of Bach’s mag- “Nerea Berraondo is the new revelation.This Spanish mezzo has nificent music are presented as if Bach had written them for the a seductive voice and a powerful low range” (trans. French, foru- guitar. Beautiful recording. Bravo.” Pepe Romero, classical guitar mopera.com). virtuoso (Spain/ USA). “One of the most powerful and evocative “There are not many CDs which come voices of the current Spanish vocal land- my way for review where, once the review scape... A golden contralto that thrilled has been written, the disc gets played knowledgeable and demanding audi- Stephen Kakos again, it just gets put in the record collection ences…” (trans. Spanish, La Cronica de Classic Guitars with hundreds of others. I think “Coming Leon). “The voice moves perfectly… The con- Home” will be different ... it earns a place ancient & modern tained arias were very beautiful - also show- on my ‘special’ shelf which contains all ing nuanced expressivity…clean and spectac- repair restoration the recordings which stand out from the ular. (trans. Spanish, Diario di Noticias). rest and get played time and time again.” German-born guitarist Eva Beneke, from 952 . 472. 4732 Steve Marsh, reviewer, Classical Guitar East Berlin, began her studies at the Berlin Magazine, Sept. 15, 2010 (UK).
may / june 5 Classified Ads
Classified Ads are free to MGS members. Place ad by mailing 1989 Kakos Classical Guitar: Indian RW, Cedar top, 655 mm (please type or print clearly) to: MGS, PO BOX 14986, Mpls., scale, with hardshell case. Excellent condition. Single owner. MN 55414 or send an email to:
continued on p. 8
Minnesota Guitar Society Join the MGS today! Members make it happen! To join the Minnesota Guitar Society, please fill out the information on this coupon and mail it to: Minnesota Guitar Society, P.O. Box 14986, Minneapolis, MN 55414 ❐ Student $15 ❐ Renewing ❐ New Member As a member of the ❐ Regular $25 NAME ______Minnesota Guitar Society, you receive ticket discounts ❐ Family $30 ADDRESS ______on all MGS-sponsored ❐ Patron $50 - $199 events, a year’s subscription ______to the Guitarist and the ❐ Sponsor $200 - $499 opportunity to place free ❐ Benefactor $500 + CITY ______ST ____ ZIP ______classifieds in each issue.
may / june 7 Classified Ads, continued from p. 7 Guitar for sale: Ramirez S1 Classical. Solid European spruce top. Travel case included. $750 or best offer. Call Bob Capes @651-757-2930
The Minnesota Guitar Society PO Box 14986 Minneapolis, MN 55414
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL... PLEASE RUSH