Al-Bustan is pleased to present guest artist JASON VIEAUX on November 2, 2013 at Trinity Center for Urban Life.
“Among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone), Vieaux is the guitarist that goes beyond the classical. He has earned a reputation for putting his expressive gifts and virtuosity at the service of a remarkably wide range of music.
In this unique collaboration, Vieaux and members of Al-Bustan Takht Ensemble reinterpret classical Western and Arab compositions.
Vieaux will open with Asturias by Issac Albeniz, a piece that highlights Western Spanish tradition. It will be followed by several compositions by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. Vieaux’s performance will be presented in a takht setting, as the ensemble simultaneously offers a heterophonic interpretation of the melodic line, a practice that was prevalent in early twentieth century Arab music. The performance will also include segments of David Ludwig’s composition written for violin, guitar and percussion using the same takht accompaniment.
The second half of the concert will feature works by renowned Arab composers Marcel Khalife, Simon Shaheen and two ensemble members: Kinan Idnawi and recent Pew Fellowship recipient Kinan Abou-Afach. These compositions showcase a trend among modern Arab composers of incorporating Western compositional elements with traditional Arabic modes and musical forms.
Listen to recent interview on WRTI’s Radio “Crossover” with host Jill Pasternak.
Read recent review in WXPN’s The Key, by Sameer Rao.
This program is made possible by the generous support of
THE PEW CENTER FOR ARTS & HERITAGE
Watch Jason Vieaux’s brilliant performance of Asturias.
Watch Jason Vieaux with Hanna Khoury and Hafez Kotain perform David Ludwig’s Kantigas:
Jason Vieaux’s schedule of recital, concerto, chamber music, teaching and recording commitments is distinguished with return engagements throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 2011, he co-founded the guitar department at The Curtis Institute of Music, and he has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 2001. In 2012, the Jason Vieaux School of Classical Guitar was launched with ArtistWorks Inc., an unprecedented technological interface that provides one-on-one online study with Vieaux for guitar students around the world. Vieaux’s solo recitals have been a feature at every major guitar series in North America, as well as many of the important guitar festivals in Asia, Australia, Europe, and Mexico. Recent and future highlights include returns to the Caramoor Festival, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and New York’s 92nd Street Y. Vieaux’s appearances for Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Music@Menlo, Strings Music Festival, Grand Teton, and many others have forged his reputation as a first-rate chamber musician and programmer. He collaborates in recitals this season with Escher Quartet, acclaimed harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, and accordion/bandoneón virtuoso Julien Labro. Vieaux’s passion for new music has fostered premieres of works by Dan Visconti, David Ludwig, Jerod Tate, Eric Sessler, José Luis Merlin and Gary Schocker. Vieaux has performed as concerto soloist with over 50 orchestras, including Cleveland, Houston, Toronto, San Diego, Ft. Worth, Santa Fe, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, among others.
Vieaux continues to bring important repertoire alive in the recording studio as well. His next album, PLAY, a selection of audience favorites celebrating Vieaux’s 20 years of professional touring, will be released in January 2014 on Azica Records. Among his previous eleven commercial albums is an Azica disc of Astor Piazzolla’s music with Julien Labro and A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra. Bach: Works for Lute, Vol.1 hit No. 13 on Billboard’s Classical Chart after its first week and received rave reviews by Gramophone, The Absolute Sound, and Soundboard. Images of Metheny features music by American jazz legend Pat Metheny, who, after hearing this landmark recording, declared: “I am flattered to be included in Jason’s musical world.” Sevilla: The Music of Isaac Albeniz made several Top Ten lists the year of its release.
