The John E. Marlow Guitar Series Blog

Duo Amaral, January 21st, 2012

marlowguitar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:48:20 +0000

There’s a rule about duet playing that most musicians would likely agree requires control and respect on the part of an accompanying musician. When one has the melody, the other backs off and gives free reign to whichever player has it within his or her own hands. Musicians like Mia Pomerantz-Amaral and Jorge Amaral understand this intuitively, instinctively and beautifully. It takes a lot for accomplished musicians to know when deferring to a partner is best for everyone and everything provided by the composer. These two poised artists get this concept; and, in so getting it, they create a marvelous auditory pas de deux that joyfully amplifies twice what one six-stringed instrument could only produce by half.

The Duo Amaral seems to agree that four hands are, if not better, certainly more complex than two; and, on January 21st, Marlow Guitar enthusiasts were easily convinced that twice an accomplished musician doubles the listening experience.

In arrangements distinctively arranged and/or interpreted by the players, new life was breathed into familiar works of Vivaldi, Franck and Handel. With Vivaldi’s L’estro Armonico Concerto No.9, we were transported to Italy where court dances and sinuous, gondola rides took us to a place most of our passports have not yet marked. With Franck’s Prelude Fugue & Variation Op.18, we heard the aching tenderness of naïve love awakened by the reality of life’s complex fugal demands. And, then, with Handel, we came to appreciate just how exceptional and intricate the 18th century was and still is for those whose art remembers it.

After the concert’s usual, and enthusiastically received guitar give-away drawing, the Duo departed from the printed program and offered us Jorge’s recently transcribed piano work by Isaac Albeniz (Espana) and wonderfully original work by his father/composer Victor Manuel Amaral Ramirez. In Jorge’s father’s piece particularly, there was a refreshing departure from purely circle-of-fifths composing to a 20th/21st century exploration of tonality that was complex, intriguing and masterful in a way knowingly captured by both Amarals especially in the second movement’s harp-like, open passages and high-on-the strings playing balanced so superbly by the two instruments.

Now, without further belaboring my obvious appreciation of these newcomers, I strongly recommend that if you ever yearn for a sound that will engage you and transport you to a place we often do not allow ourselves to go, pick up a copy of Duo Amaral’s “Suplica”, and find yourself again.

-Deborah Drayer
Silver Spring

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, Duo Amaral, John E. Marlow Guitar Series, review

WPFW FM 89.3 Interview With DUO AMARAL

marlowguitar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:47:45 +0000

Sunday, January 15th, Duo Amaral will be on Tom Coles’ G Strings program, WPFW FM 89.3. Listen between 10 am and 12 noon for the interview and live music! (You can listen through their website through their ListenLive streaming player options.)

The John E. Marlow Guitar Series will present the Duo Amaral on Saturday, January 21st, 2012, 8pm at the Westmoreland Congregational Church in Bethesda, MD. Click here for more information and tickets.

Taken from their bio on the website -
Duo Amaral was launched in 2008 by husband and wife Jorge Amaral and Mia Pomerantz-Amaral. This dynamic duo is gaining momentum and steadily attracting audiences in the USA and abroad as their reputation grows with each recital and master class. Duo Amaral has been described by Il Messagero Veneto as “masterful, with poetic virtuosity and intensity of expression”. In just two and a half years, they have toured in Italy, Germany, Poland, Panama, Mexico, Israel and the USA, performing, giving workshops, master classes and judging international competitions.

Mr. and Mrs. Amaral completed their studies at the prestigious Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, where both were awarded Master of Music and Graduate Performance Degrees with Manuel Barrueco and Julian Gray, respectively.
(click here for more)

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: Bethesda, classical guitar, John E. Marlow Guitar Series, live, music, radio

A Master Class Review (Dimitris Kotronakis)

marlowguitar — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:40:03 +0000

Just a note that we received about Dimitris Kotronakis’ Master Class, the day after the concert.

Hi Tim,

The kids were VERY inspired by Kotronakis’ class.

All my best,
Miroslav

Filed under: Master Classes, Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, guitar, master class, music

Dimitris Kotronakis, November 19, 2011

marlowguitar — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:31:02 +0000

The John E. Marlow Guitar Series listeners were treated last Saturday, the 19th, to a rare talent in the world of classical guitar. Dimitris Kotronakis demonstrated just how awesome this instrument can be. From the opening transcription of the Bach Chaconne in D minor (can you even imagine it arranged for guitar?) to the closing work, Raphael Fays’, Dans Yeux of Michelle and Romantic Voyage, this artist wowed devotees with technique that can only be described as Paganiniesque.

How many remember that Paganinni, himself, started out playing the eight-stringed mandolin at the age of five? It’s easy to see how like-musicians are inclined to tackle fantastically difficult music on its six-stringed cousin. In Dimitris’ capable hands, the guitar took on a life that so astonished his audience he received two standing ovations: One at intermission and at program’s end.

Mr. Kotronakis’ Greek roots, too, have clearly influenced his approach to his instrument. The lighting speed style of bouzouki playing was easily recognized through his fingering in a way most guitarists could never conceive of trying. In the two pieces by the Greek composer Thanassis Moraitis, Dimitris played with the soul of his country and the sensitivity of a true artists. Pyrotechnic passages were balanced by subtle, tender, heart-touching interpretations of lyrical phrases that stopped this listener to attend. There were few measures (e.g., in the Paganini Caprices– again, his own transcription) where the music ran a bit ahead of his playing, but that did not dim the overall impact of hearing something especially unique and winning.

We look forward to having Mr. Kotronakis back to the Marlow Series soon.

– Deborah Drayer (Board Member)

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, Greece, guitar, music

What’s a Music Clip Card?

marlowguitar — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:11:13 +0000

Kotronakis Music Clip Card

What IS a Music Clip Card?

A music clip card, developed especially for the performers in the 2011-2012 John E. Marlow Guitar Series Season, will enable anyone with a smartphone and QR code reader to listen to a music clip of the performer on the card!

This particular card features Dimitris Kotronakis, the classical guitarist from Greece, performing this Saturday, November 19th. If you have a smartphone and a free QR code reader (app), you can scan the bar code and be treated to the music clip we have provided on our website, http://www.marlowguitar.org.

These cards (one for every performer in this Season) will be on display at our concerts. Feel free to take and share with friends, family, and anyone interested in hearing a short music clip of our artists. These QR codes will last as long as the link to our website lasts, so enjoy it while you can!

Hope to see you this Saturday!

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: Music Clip Card, music clips, QR codes, smartphones

Connect with The John E. Marlow Guitar Series

marlowguitar — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:42:13 +0000

As part of our effort to connect with our audience outside of the musical concert evening, we want to offer opportunities to connect through various media.

The John E. Marlow Guitar Series is on Facebook.

The John E. Marlow Guitar Series is on Twitter: @MarlowGuitar

And Foursquare? What’s that? The International Conservatory of Music (the parent organization) has started up a Foursquare List, featuring our venue where our guitarists perform! When you attend a concert, please check in!

Filed under: Be Social

Carlos Barbosa-Lima and Byron Yasui: A Musical Success!

marlowguitar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:05:43 +0000

Carlos Barbosa-Lima kicked off the 18th season Oct 22, bringing with him some of the music from Hawaii. He brought along Byron Yasui, also, one of the musical mainstays from Honolulu, who played his ‘Ukulele, both as a solo instrument and in ensemble.

Musically, the evening was a great success. Carlos took the stage with great flair, playing a lot of those signature Carlos pieces that we all know and love. His Adios and Brazil are absolute classics, but this time, he played two Scarlatti sonatas and reminded us of the old days before he had officially “crossed over” into the luscious world of Brazil and Bach, where the lines between popular and classic are not at all clear. His musical form has never been better and his technique was dazzling.

Byron’s performance was greeted in a poignant moment with a tremendous sneeze from the audience, something that was as rousing and throaty as any sneeze I’ve ever heard. It was a show stopper as the entire audience burst into laughter…but only for a moment, while Byron and the audience regained their composure.

Coaxing the Stars and Stripes Forever out of the ‘Ukulele is a real project and Byron managed to bring the audience into a rousing show of support in enthusiastic hand clapping. When Carlos and Byron joined as a duet, the most compelling piece was the Cavatina by Stanley Myers. The new work Byron wrote for Carlos was the Hawaiian Lullaby in slack key tuning (scordatura is a word more often used to describe a departure from the conventional tuning).

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, review, ukulele

See our article in our local Gazette

marlowguitar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:41:14 +0000

Carlos Barbosa-Lima & Byron Yasui perform October 22nd, 2011 - 8pm

How many of you saw the mention of Carlos Barbosa-Lima and Byron Yasui in this Wednesday’s Gazette? There is a clip to it here. Take a look!

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, Gazette, John E. Marlow Guitar Series

Sunday, October 23rd ‘Ukulele Clinic With Byron Yasui

marlowguitar — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:37:11 +0000

Ukulele Clinic with Byron Yasui

Sunday, October 23, 2011 1-3pm in Derwood, MD.
For advanced beginners and up, register by calling 301-670-6716 or email.

It’s $25 per/person, pay at the door.
Bring a ‘ukulele tuned in C with a high G, and a recording device.

Advanced students may inquire about private lessons by emailing Dr. Yasui directly.

This is co-sponsored by The John E. Marlow Guitar Series.

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: DC Metro area, John E. Marlow Guitar Series, ukulele

Sunday, October 23rd Master Class with Carlos Barbosa-Lima

marlowguitar — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:33:04 +0000

“In Between the Notes”

Sunday, October 23rd
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Carlos Barbosa-Lima

Come as a performer or auditor.
If time allows, Carlos will discuss
arranging for the classical guitar.

Grand Tier III
Center for the Performing Arts
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Performers, $75.
Auditors, $10.

If you would like to perform, please call.

www.marlowguitar.org

info@marlowguitar.org

Phone: 301-654-6403

Filed under: Season 2011-2012 Tagged: classical guitar, DC Metro area, master class