Welcome
Dear Friends,
It is a great pleasure to invite you to Boston Guitar Fest XI. We are very excited about this year’s festival and thank you for joining us for another unforgettable meeting of distinguished artists, passionate aficionados and just plain great people.
The year 2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the birth of the composer Manuel de Falla, but sadly also the 100th anniversary of the tragic and noble death of the composer Enrique Granados and the 80th anniversary of murder of the great poet Federico Garcia Lorca: all reason enough to choose what would always be a relevant theme for any festival devoted to the guitar: ¡Viva España!
During Boston Guitar Fest XI we will celebrate the “agony and the ecstasy” of the Spanish experience and the intoxicating mixture of cultures that has given us the irresistible Spanish sound. Oscar Ghiglia, former teaching assistant of the great Andres Segovia and direct heir of Segovia’s legacy, returns as resident guru. Cuban virtuoso, Joaquin Clerch, also back by popular demand, performs some of his groundbreaking transcriptions of the works of Falla and the sonata by Antonio Jose, and Russian phenom Grisha Goryachev brings his blinding flamenco virtuosity to the stage of Jordan Hall. Spanish virtuoso Anabel Montesinos will delight with the authentic sounds of her homeland. I myself will play the Boston premiere of Leonardo Balada’s Quintet for guitar and strings (Caprichos) based on the popular songs of Lorca, along with new solo transcriptions of Scarlatti, Albeniz, and Granados.
In addition to the concert program, Boston GuitarFest offers an unparalleled palette of other opportunities: master classes and private lessons taught by guest artists; the Young Guitarists Workshop; the Luthiers Expo; two levels of guitar performance competitions; and a competition for composition, to mention only a few of the wonderful events that go on in festival week.
The continued success of Boston GuitarFest depends on our loyal and generous sponsors, which include not only our philanthropic donors but also the New England Conservatory and the Northeastern University Department of Music, whose partnership has sustained the Festival since 2008. Boston GuitarFest always relies on the energy and administrative and organizational work of students and former students who give endlessly of themselves all during the year, and in the process acquire hands-on experience in the important work of arts infrastructure creation.
Let the fun begin, and ¡Viva España!
Sincerely,
Eliot Fisk
Founder and Artistic Director, Boston GuitarFest
Welcome from the State Offices
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Music brings people together and I am so proud we hold this festival here in the Bay State.—Deval L. Patrick Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
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GuitarFest has become a wonderful summer tradition in Boston. Audiences come to learn more about different cultural traditions and to enjoy the extraordinary musical performances.—Edward M. Kennedy Late US Senator from Massachusetts |
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Boston GuitarFest is a perfect example of music’s ability to traverse geographic, cultural and ethnic boundaries and as a confirmed amateur guitarist I know it will also be a lot of fun. I encourage musicians and everyone who appreciates their work to become involved in this important cultural celebration and I thank NEC and Eliot for making Boston GuitarFest a reality.—John Kerry US Secretary of State |
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GuitarFest is a great celebration of music and culture, and there’s no better place for this festival than along Boston’s Avenue of the Arts. This weekend is a terrific opportunity for people to come together, enjoy wonderful performances, and share their love of music.—Elizabeth Warren US Senator from Massachusetts |
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I welcome Boston GuitarFest as it continues to showcase the cultural advantages of the city of Boston, and to provide us all with the opportunity to hear wonderful music, played at its best.—Barney Frank Massachusetts Representative |
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This festival is an opportunity to experience a diverse showcase of musical talent, including the work of many gifted guitarists. I welcome performers and festival attendees to Boston and hope you enjoy your visit.—Michael E. Capuano US Congressman from Massachusetts |
