August 2015

Spreading the gospel of classical guitar: Sharon Isbin, subject of a new documentary on VAI DVD and blu-ray, pictured here with

Sharon Isbin: Troubadour many kinds of musical activities as her energy and gifts will allow. Produced by Susan Dangel A film by Susan Dangel and imaginatively (sometimes giddily) Including music by Albéniz, Jobim, Mangoré, photographed by Rob Fortunato, the Lauro and Mark O’Connor documentary follows Isbin as she performs, Sharon Isbin guitar teaches, collaborates, consults and jams with Ⓕ VAI DVDVAI 4580 colleagues in the classical, rock and jazz worlds. (86’●NTSC●16:9●Dolby stereo●0) The cast of characters ranges from such

composers as , , Sharon Isbin has been an Christopher Rouse, , conductor Leonard acclaimed figure in the world of Slatkin and actor David Hyde Pierce (hilarious on classical guitar for three the subject of Isbin as apartment neighbour) to decades but there’s much more eminent figures in popular music, including Joan to her artistry than six strings. Baez, Steve Vai and Stanley Jordan. She has commissioned There are scenes of Isbin playing at the White numerous works for the House, taking a trip back to Italy (where her love instrument and guided a generation of students of the guitar was kindled as a child), tripping the as head of the guitar departments at the Juilliard light fantastic with a dance instructor and School and Aspen Music Festival. discussing her sexuality (she came out as gay in And that’s only the start, as the winning 1995). Along with the documentary, the DVD documentary Sharon Isbin: Troubadour makes includes Isbin performing a range of music, a clear. Peripatetic and seemingly tireless, Isbin testament to her curiosity, imagination and spreads the gospel of the classical guitar in a mesmerizing command of those six strings. field dominated by men as she engages in as Donald Rosenberg