Guitar Houston 2008-2009 Concert Season
This year's concert season will feature an elite line-up of internationally recognized and prestigious concert artists. Also we will have master classes, artist receptions, and more!
Please see the bottom of this page for ticket information.
Master Classes will be on Sunday the day after the concerts.
Katona Twins
Concert Saturday 10/11/08, 8 PM, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (click for directions...).
Master Class Sunday 10/12/08
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" ..the delicate Perfection of the Katonas' playing electrified the music. The intense ensemble between the Katonas is irresistible."
- The Times London
"...virtuosos who play with an almost eerie unanimity of style and considerable charm."
-The New Yorker, June 2002
"Rarely have I heard such dynamism."
-Classical Guitar Magazine
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"The Hungarian born Katona Twins, Peter and Zoltan, have given recitals throughout the world including performances at the Carnegie Hall in New York; the Purcell Room of the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall in London; the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; the Konzerthaus in Vienna ,the Suntory Hall in Tokyo; the Forbidden City in Beijing; the Alte Oper in Frankfurt and the Philharmonie in Cologne.
The twins have won numerous prizes, both individually and together. In 2004 they were awarded, with the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni prize, the first guitarist in the trust's history. In 1998 they won the Concert Artists Guild Competition held in New York thereby securing management throughout the USA; tours soon followed as did their Carnegie Hall debut. In 1997 they were winners at the Young Concert Artist Trust auditions in London and that brought with it London based worldwide management; in the same year they successfully auditioned for the Park Lane contemporary music group. Earlier in their careers the twins won the S.T. Johnson Foundation prize in 1995 and The Laura Ashley prize in 1996. In 1993 they won first prize at the most prestigious guitar duo competition in Montelimar, France. In the same year Peter & Zoltan won first prize at the international guitar duo competition held in Bubenreuth, Germany and were awarded the Cultural Prize of the City of Kassel, Germany.
The wide repertoire of the duo spans from Scarlatti to Piazzolla's tango music. Their programmes also include concertos for two guitars and orchestra by Rodrigo, Vivaldi, Piazzolla and Tedesco. Michael Berkeley, Judith Bingham, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez and several other contemporary composers have written for and dedicated works to the Katona Twins.
From the age of ten the twins have studied both individually and as a guitar duo in Budapest, Frankfurt and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. During their studies they benefitted from classes with Julian Bream and John Williams.
The Katona Twins have been invited on numerous occasions to record for the BBC and other international television and radio stations. Their CD releases include music by Scarlatti and Handel; Rodrigo; Albeniz and pieces by Piazzolla, Granados, de Falla and Mozart."
Ricardo Cobo
"The Colombian guitarist Ricardo Cobo may be one of the finest guitarists of our time..." - The Washington Post 7/25/06
"Cobo's tone is velvet, his technique seems to have no limitations, and his guitar can be as big and brassy or as soft and expressive as he wishes." -Soundboard Magazine
Guitar Houston is pleased to sponsor internationally acclaimed concert artist Ricardo Cobo in our concert season. Ricardo Cobo is without a doubt one of the top performers today that you won't want to miss. This is his third appearance for Guitar Houston.
Concert Saturday 11/08/08, 8 PM, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (click for directions...).
Master Class Sunday 11/09/08
For more information about Ricardo Cobo, view the artist website:
BIO and REVIEWS: www.RicardoCobo.com
Marcin Dylla
Guitar Houston is pleased to sponsor from Poland, the up and coming virtuoso and multiple international guitar competition winner Marcin Dylla. Marcin won first prize in the world's premier competition, at the Guitar Foundation of America in 2007. By many music critics and music lovers, Marcin Dylla is considered one of the most outstanding classical guitar players. He owes this position, among others, to unparalleled number of awards at musical competitions. In 1996-2007 19 times he won the first prize at the most prestigious international guitar contests taking place in Europe and in the USA.
Many times he was honored by awards of the audience and orchestras, with which he performed. In 2002 at the 7th International Guitar Convent in Alessandria, Marcin Dylla was also granted a "gold guitar" musical critic's award for the best coming young guitar player.
Concert Saturday 1/17/09, 8 PM, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (click for directions...).
Master Class Sunday 1/18/09
For more information about Marcin Dylla, view the artist website:
Marcin Dylla
Quaternaglia Brazilian Guitar Quartet
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"Quaternaglia's performances thrill with their subtleties, their orchestral energy and transparence in addition to the Brazilian swing. A fantastic ensemble".
PAULO BELLINATI (Brazil)
"Purity of guitar sounds shines through Brazil's Quaternaglia."
SUSAN BLISS, LOS ANGELES TIMES (USA)
"Not a note was out of place all evening, and every nuance of interpretation was together."
FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM (USA)
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For more information about Quaternaglia, view the artist website:
http://www.quaternaglia.com.br/
Back by popular demand, Guitar Houston is pleased to bring back the dynamic and spirited Quaternaglia quartet from Brazil.
Concert Saturday 2/7/09, 8 PM, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (click for directions...).
Master Class Sunday 2/8/09
Margarita Escarpa
Guitar Houston is pleased to sponsor the critically-aclaimed performer and recording artist Margarita Escarpa.
"... exquisite recital, with an unusually beautiful sound and a mastery of musical nuance ... Her music is clear, uncluttered, romantic, penetrating to the inner recesses and giving exquisite delight.
" - COLIN COOPER, CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE 1997
Concert Saturday 3/21/09, 8 PM, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church (click for directions...).
Master Class Sunday 3/22/09
For more information about Margarita Escarpa:
http://www.MargaritaEscarpa.com
2008-2009 Concert Season
The Guitar Houston Concert Season brings you established, top-tier artists who are recognized at an international
level. All the artists selected for the Concert Season have won at least one major guitar competition, have
production CD releases, major press reviews, and an established concert career. Whereas the open meetings and Salon Concert series will feature up-and-coming artists or local talent, the Concert Season is a guaranteed level of premium quality.
Concert tickets will be sold individually at the show and at Guitar Houston events. Tickets can be purchased in advance by contacting the phone # and email addresses below. As always, the concert ticket price is kept as low as possible to break even on the event. GH ticket prices are generally half the amount paid at commercial events. Guitar Houston is a non-profit organization, and we pass this savings on to you.
If you are not yet a member of GH, now is the perfect time to join and save money on the concert season and enjoy the other membership benefits, as well as to support the mission of GH to enhance the classical guitar presence in Houston.
Guitar Houston Season Ticket Benefits:
Guaranteed premium seating.
- Up-front select seats are reserved for purchasers of the Guitar Houston Season Ticket Package. Season ticket holders will get the first rows, dead center (or the best seats in the house), to the exclusion of walk-up sales. GH season ticket holders will also have access to up-close seating near the stage. Season ticket holders are guaranteed a premium seat also in the event of a sell-out. Note: you must arrive at least 10 minutes before the show time to claim your premium seat.
Private Artist Reception
- Private receptions following the concert with the concert artist will be open only to concert season ticket holders.
Ticket Prices
As a non-profit organization, Guitar Houston offers unbeatable low ticket prices for high quality concerts.
Single ticket prices for Cobo, Dylla, Escarpa are as follows:
$ 22 (Individual)
$ 18 (GH Member)
$ 15 (Student or Child)
Katona Twins single ticket prices are:
$ 25 (Individual)
$ 22 (GH Member)
$ 18 (Student or Child)
Quaternaglia single ticket prices are:
$ 30 (Individual)
$ 25 (GH Member)
$ 20 (Student or Child)
Season Tickets
The price for the entire concert season is only $90 per person for Guitar Houston members, and only $110 for non-members. The season ticket provides admission to all 5 concerts in our season with preferred seating.
- Season Ticket Guitar Houston Member: $90 (all 5 concerts)
- Season Ticket Non-Member: $110 (all 5 concerts)
Information, Ticket Sales, Master Class & Private Lesson slots:
Contact Joe Hanlon at 713-665-2712 for ticket reservations.
A $2 processing fee will be applied for mailing tickets, or you may arrange to get them in person. We can take credit card orders by telephone. Tickets may be purchased by mailing a personal check payable to Guitar Houston; mailing address is:
Guitar Houston c/o Joe Hanlon
4149 Bellaire Blvd #229
Houston, TX 77025
Please enclose in your envelope the address where the tickets are to be forwarded and the number of tickets and events requested. The "will call" tickets are the price indicated on this web site. There will be a $2 postage and handling fee per order to mail the tickets.
For additional information, contact Joe Hanlon at 713-665-2712.
- Call Joe Hanlon at 713-665-2712, or 281-367-9060 - David at Texas Select Music.
- E-Mail mail@guitarhouston.org
- GH Events - Tickets will be available at all GH events.
- At the Venue Concert tickets may be purchased at the door. Lessons and master class slots must be arranged in advance.
Lessons and Master Classes:
Master classes are usually arranged with all the artists in the concert season. The classes will occur the day following the concert. The exact time and location will be announced later for each class.
It is not every day that you have an opportunity to study with world-class performers. Why not learn from the very best? Guitar Houston is very committed to providing opportunities for players at all levels to sign up for master classes or private lessons with our concert artists for a very reasonable price. Contact Guitar Houston if you are interested in studying with these great artists. Season ticket holders will have preference in booking reservations - but once Guitar Houston receives your check, your slot is guaranteed. Sign up early to avoid missing out!
You can also "audit" the master class as a non-participant observer. These classes can be very informative.
Admission Policy and Concert Etiquette
The nature of classical recitals is such that all audience noise must be kept to a minimum so that everyone can enjoy the show. Since classical guitar is not a very loud instrument comparatively, this is even more important to remove distractions. One noisy patron can ruin the experience of many others. Often the patron does not realize how loud they are being; in a quiet room, even small sounds carry. We ask:
- No talking or whispering during a piece. Minimum talking between pieces. Even a whisper will carry a surprising distance and divert attention from the performance to yourself. Save your comments for after the piece.
- Enter or exit only after each piece, preferrably only during applause.
- Pagers and cell phones on silent mode or preferrably OFF. Nothing is more irritating than a cell phone or pager during a piece. Do not answer the call during the show. Note their phone number and call back after the piece from the lobby.
- No small children admitted (babies, toddlers). Sorry, but very young kids don't enjoy the show - they will squirm, whisper, crawl under the seats, talk, flail around, etc.. Telling the child to be quiet and still creates further disturbances. This stresses out the parents and everyone around them. Lots of people have kids and use babysitters. Babies will cry or coo, which is another unwanted distraction. It is perfectly fine and encouraged to bring older children - use your best judgement as to whether the child is mature enough to sit quietly through a 2 hour classical music event.
- Older children should be separated.
- No pets admitted.
- Cellophane wrappers discouraged. If you must get that cough drop, open it as quickly as possible. It is much worse to open it slowly in an effort to make less noise - it actually prolongs the noise.
- Avoid shifting frequently in squeaky chairs.
- Please do not attend if you are ill, e.g. excessive coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid shuffling papers, reading newspapers, the concert program, or mail, etc., during the piece. People are not usually aware how much noise papers make.
- Applause points are inbetween major pieces, not between pieces within a suite.
- No hoots, yee-haw's, clapping, etc., during a piece. It diverts attention from the music to yourself, and sometimes startles the performer into making a mistake or losing their place.
All ticket sales are final. GH reserves the right to remove any patron who creates a disturbance and refuses to heed advisements.
2007-2008 Concert Season Venue
The concerts are at the Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church at 1900 Bering Drive. Their website directions are at this URL: http://emersonhouston.org/how/directions.html.
The easiest way to get there from 610 is to take the San Felipe exit and turn left on Bering, and the building is on the right.
All concert performances are at 8 pm.
Email:
guitarhouston@comcast.net