Tidewater Guitar Orchestra   Sep 25, 1999, Williamsburg Regional Library Theater

The Tidewater Guitar Orchestra was founded over four years ago by Sam Dorsey, inspired by a similar orchestra in Costa Rica led by Luis Zumbado. Mr. Dorsey formed the TGO based on the concept of musicians using three different types of guitars. The Orchestra is composed of traditional classical guitars, supplemented by soprano guitars - tuned one fifth higher - called requintos, and by bass guitars - tuned one fourth lower - called bajas. One of the only guitar orchestras of its kind in North America, the TGO purchased its original instruments through a generous grant from the Pfizer Corporation. Over time, the Orchestra has been acquiring additional instruments from luthier Omar Corales Guzman of Costa Rica. The TGO has made numerous appearances locally, including at the 1999 Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival with Joann Falletta.

At this evening's performance, the TGO premiered a new piece, 'Ask the Sphinx', by Virginia born composer Andrew York. This piece was commissioned by the Society in celebration of Willliamsburg's 300th Anniversary. The TGO will present this work again at the International Guitar Festival in San José, Costa Rica, in October.

This was the TGO's first appearance on the TCGS concert schedule, and it's first public appearance in Williamsburg. We're proud to report that it was a rousing success. This was a new record attendance (200) at any concert in Williamsburg. We must presume that those who came enjoyed it, as the Orchestra was awarded a standing ovation at the end of the concert! I enjoyed it too :-)

Denis Azabagic   October 8, 1999, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; Oct 9, 1998, Williamsburg Regional Library

This year's GFA winner is Denis Azabagic, "one of the finest guitarists of his generation". Born in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, he became the youngest winner of the prestigious Jacinto e Inocencio Guerrero Competition in Madrid, Spain. Since then he has become a prize winner in virtually every competition in which he has participated.

As a soloist, Denis has played with various orchestras and has given recitals internationally in such venues as the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, and at Radio Paris in France. He has published two CDs as a soloist, for Opera Tres of Spain, and for the Printemps de la guitare, of Belgium. His appearance here was received enthusiastically.

John Jackson   November 26, 1999, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; November 27, 1999, Williamsurg Regional LIbrary Theater

The TCGS steps away from tradition this season with John Jackson, a blues singer-guitarist who delivers a mixture of blues, ballads, and old country songs in a high baritone, accompanied by a gentrified ragtime guitar style. His musical influences run the gamut from Mississippi John Hurt to B.B. King to Eric Clapton.

Although he has performed for Presidents, the Congress and Senate, and royalty around the globe, he will only say of himself that he is "just a workin' man". "In the world of blues musicians, John Jackson is the real thing." (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

In the world of TCGS concerts, John drew near record crowds and delivered uniform satisfaction. In conversation, he reflected a great humbleness - his most frequent words being "Thank you". Wait a minute, John, it was for us to say thank you - for a great treat! Some purists might demur, saying, "This wasn't a 'classical guitar' concert". Au contraire. John is definitely a classic, and he did, after all, play guitar. 'Nuff said.

No program was made available for this concert. Mr Jackson announced his numbers as he played them, including some background on the author and the circumstances that may or may not have surrounded it's composition, then delivering a reasonable facsimile of the original presentation. A marvelous march through the early history of the blues. Reference the above cross link for a CD that would include many of the tunes that may have been presented this evening.
 

William Kanengiser   January 28, 2000, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; Jan 29, 2000, Williamsurg Regional LIbrary Theater

William Kanengiser returns! He performed for the TCGS as a soloist in 1993, and as a member of the world renown Los Angeles Guitar Quartet last season. Recognized as one of America's most brilliant guitarists, he has been praised by the Los Angeles Times for his "dizzying execution" and "exceeding vitality and warmth".

Mr. Kanengiser has performed in every major city in the United States and Canada as well as in Southeast Asia, Japan and Spain. Born in Orange, New Jersey and now residing in Los Angeles, he is a member of the faculty of USC and has released three CDs and several instructional videos. In his latest appearance in Tidewater Virginia, he attracted a large and very appreciative audience, in spite of the threatening weather.

The more-or-less-annual Members' Concert is not part of our regular concert season, but is very definitely an important part of our charter, which includes words like "helping people to become more familiar with the classical guitar". An integral part of helping people learn to play would seem to be providing a venue where they can stretch their new wings and perform.

This year's concert was made even more exciting by a last minute change of venue. But everyone managed to find the hall, and the Women's Club location was in some ways nicer than our usual place. Quite a few 'newcomers' (Rick Handel, Adam Moore and Max Woltshock) performed for the first time; Several 'oldtimers' (Jake and Josh Lessard) who had recently been conspicuous by their absence returned; a few 'regulars' (John Boyles, Sam Dorsey, Timothy Olbrych) very successfully tackled pieces we hadn't heard before; Dan Cudney appeared with a 10 string 'harp guitar' (basically a baroque lute on a guitar body), and a gambist and recorderist in tow for a bit of the baroque; and the Guitar Orchestra literally sparkled with a replay of the concert they presented in Costa Rica last fall. The new piece (Ask the) Sphinx was especially impressive. We're all waiting for the recording. Members of the Orchestra at this performance were:

Bajas: Tony Pezzela and Meade Stith;
Guitars: Rick Handel, Heather Jersild, Dan Cudney and Chris Basford;
Requintos: Ken Pfeifer, Charlie Barron, Lindsay Arndt, Sam Dorsey and Steve Jolemore.

A good time was had by all, and (as usual), the guitar playing went on long after the formal program ended.

The Falla Guitar Trio   March 24, 2000, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia; Mar 25, 2000, Williamsurg Regional LIbrary Theater

Terry Graves, Kenton Youngstrom and Dusan Bogdanovic, who are the Falla Guitar Trio, are leaders among virtuoso guitarists. These dynamic artists have received world-wide recognition for their superb performances of classical repertoire, their sizzling renditions of jazz, and for their innovative programs ranging from Bach to Bernstein to the blues.

The group performs and records a wide variety of music. Indeed, Youngstrom has arranged a wealth of repertoire for the group, and he and Bogdanovic are highly respected composers. Last season the Tidewater Classical Guitar Society commissioned and premiered a work by Dusan Bogdanovic: the complex and lovely Over the Edge, performed by the Lafayette Trio.

Recent tours by the Falla Trio have taken the group across the U.S. and over the airwaves of National Public Radio's Performance Today in a live performance from Atlanta's Spivey Hall. They perform regularly on prestigious concert series, and have participated in residencies from Idaho to Florida.

The Falla Guitar Trio's innovative role in the guitar world includes the development of a new bass acoustic classical guitar. Working jointly with the D'Addario company, three different prototypes have been tested and are currently being used.

Their latest appearance in Williamsburg was very enthusiastically received, and the audience awarded them several standing ovations.

Brazilian Guitar Quartet   May 3, 2000, Wells Theatre, Norfolk

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil, the TCGS - in co-operation with the Virginia International Waterfront Arts Festival - presents the Quarteto Brasileiro de Violões (The Brazilian Guitar Quartet). This ensemble, composed of Paul Galbraith, Edelton Gloeden, Everton Gloeden and Tadeu do Amaral, will present an all-Brazilian program (Bach has been granted honorary Brazilian citizenship).

The BGQ was formed with the intention of interpreting original repertoire as well as transcriptions of works from diverse periods and styles, and exploring the new possibilities offered by combining traditional six-string instruments with eight-string guitars developed by David Rubio, together with the Quartet member Paul Galbraith. Each of the members has an illustrious solo career: Paul Galbraith's double CD ofThe Complete Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award in the Best Solo Instrumental Album Category; Edelton Gloeden is a presenter and producer of the Guitar in the Concert Era, a program broadcast weekly by one of Latin America's most important classical radio stations; Everton Gloeden has appeared as a soloist in England, Germany, Venezuela and the United States; and Tadeu do Amaral has released two CDs - Spanish Music and Manuel Ponce. Brazilians affectionately call the BGQ "The Dream Team". Hear the reason why!

It was not at all evident from the performance, but according to the CD featuring the group, they have only been playing together a little more than a year. Further, Everton Gloeden - apparently since this recording was made - has abandoned the 6 string guitar to join Galbraith on the 8 string guitar. This instrument is tuned in an unusual fashion. Usually, guitars (and lutes) that have more than 6 strings add bass notes downward diatonically from the usual bottom (E) string. On these guitars, an extra string tuned to A is added above the usual E top string, and another string, tuned to either A or B, is added below the usual E bottom string. This adds an octave to the usual guitar range. In effect this instrument encompasses the total range we have in the TCGS guitar orchestra, using the three instruments, baja guitarra, guitar and requinto. Should we reconsider our instrumentation?