Guitar recital with Maria Esther Guzman

(story to be published in tomorrow’s issue, March 31)

One of the most appreciated Spanish guitar players, Maria Esther Guzman-Ferre tomorrow evening will perform at ARCUB. The recital includes classical guitar works composed by A. Soler, J.S. Bach, I. Albeniz, J. Rodrigo, and L. Brouwer. Maria Esther Guzman comes from a family of Spanish musicians and she first performed when she was four, at “Lope de Vega” Theatre in Sevilla. The artist graduated from the Superior Musical Conservatory in 1985 and participated in many contests, receiving six national prizes and 13 international awards. Among them – Andres Segovia Award (Almunecar, Spain, 1987) and Regino Sainz de la Maza Award (Okayama, Japan, 1980). In 1985, Maria Esther Guzman-Ferre was awarded the Culture prize, granted by Junta de Andalucia to “Andalucia Joven de Musica.” She currently teaches at the Special Music School “Pablo Cassals” in Sevilla. The recital will comprise “Sonatas” (A. Soler), “Preludio- Fuga-Allegro” (J. S. Bach), “Tango y Sevilla” (I. Albéniz), “Elogio de la guitarra” (J. Rodrigo), “Sonata” (L. Brouwer), “Fandangos y Boleros”, “Sarabanda” (Scriabin) and “La Toccata” (Pasquini). The artist successfully interprets works by Spanish composer Issac Albeniz (1860 – 1909). Albeniz first performed when he was only five. He started his musical studies two years later, in Barcelona, and then he set out for Puerto Rico, where he performed in many theatres and restaurants in order to support himself. His piano music, characterised by a specifically Hispanic component, was inspired by various places and events of his country, and many of his concerts are named after Spanish towns. A musical critic once said that, if you listen to the “Iberia” concert suite, you can see yourself wandering through the narrow streets of a Spanish town, savouring the Rioja wine and feeling the pulse of Iberian life.