The Classical Guitar – From Vivaldi to Falla

Chamber Music

Monday, October 7, 2002 20:00     Macao Tower Auditorium     180

Programme:
Vivaldi Concerto in C Major, for Guitar and Strings, RV 425
Concerto in A Major, for Guitar and Strings, from Trio in G Minor for Violin, Lute and Bass, RV 82
Concerto in G minor, for Guitar and Strings, from Trio in G Minor for Violin, Lute and Bass, RV 85
Concerto in D Major, for Guitar and Strings, from Concerto in D Major for two Violins, Lute and Bass, RV 93
Giuliani Andante from Concerto in A Major, for Guitar and Strings, Op. 30
Paganini Sonata Concertata, for Violin and Guitar
Falla La Vida Breve, for Violin and Guitar – First Dance

Soloists:
Claudio Marcotulli: Guitar
Marcello Defant: Violin

Strings:
Nicusor Silaghi: Violin
Mircea Tataru: Violin
Marius Sima: Viola
Vasile Jucan: Cello
Luigi Lamberti: Double-bass


After the gilded days of the aristocratic European salons when virtuosi composers such Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor and Matteo Carcassi would perform their works, the classical guitar largely fell from popularity in the early 20th century, despite Andrès Segovia’s pioneering attempts to capture audiences’ imaginations. Thanks to a rising generation of young guitarists of various nationalities, most notably British, French and American, the classical guitar has made its mark on the international stage, its players relishing in the instrument’s unique sonorities and extensive repertoire.
 


 


Claudio Marcotulli

Claudio Marcotulli is considered one of the most interesting guitarists of his generation. He obtained his Diploma with Highest Honours from the L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence and continued his studies with Alberto Ponce at the École Normale de Musique in Paris, where in 1984 he was given the “Diplome Superieure de Concertiste”. He has taken part in important international competitions, winning in 1981 the “Concorso Città di Lecce”, Italy, devoted to contemporary music, the “ Ville de Carpentras” competition in 1983 and the “R. Bratoli” in Salon de Provence in 1984, both of which in France. Of utmost importance for his professional career was the First Prize in the “F. Tarrega” (Spain), one of the most important guitar competitions in the world, including the special prize for “ Best performance of Tarrega’s music”. Thanks to this award he has been engaged in worldwide tours and recordings that launched his career to the highest level. Claudio Marcotulli has worked as a soloist with several conductors such as Ennio Morricone, Ignacio Yepes, and Claudio Abbado.
 


 


Marcello Defant

Marcello Defant completed his studies under the guidance of the violinists Franco Mezzena, Salvatorew Accardo and Rugiero Ricci, the violists Dino Asciolla and Matthias Buchholz and the composer Renato Dionisi. He has worked with several orchestras as concertmaster and principal viola and was a member of the “Virtuosi di Roma” for several years. In 1989 he founded the “Camerata Strumentale di Roma”, a baroque chamber orchestra with which he has toured Europe, South America and Japan. He now plays as concertmaster in Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia and is a member of several well-known ensembles, including the “European Music Project” and the “Jenaer Solisten” (Germany) and the “Paganini Consort” (Italy). He plays with outstanding musicians such as Julius Berger, Mario Brunello and Alain Meunier among many others, and has been invited by prestigious institutions to some of the most renowned concert venues, including the Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Salle Olivier Messiaen, the Concertgebouw, the Stagione da Camera dell’a Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and others. Defant has recorded for several labels including “Phoenix”, “Symposium”, “Antes Concerto” and “Opera Tres”.


Running time: approx. 1 hour 30 mins, one interval