by Kevin McLaughlin
The Australian guitarist Stephanie Jones brought passion and clarity to the opening concert of the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society’s 2023-24 International Series, in a program of mostly German and South American works at the Maltz Performing Arts Center on September 17. This was the first concert since CCGS moved from their cozier confines of Plymouth UCC. Whatever the acoustical challenges in the Maltz, the charisma of Jones’ playing made a clear and lasting impression.
Beginning with two movements from J.S. Bach’s Violin Partita No. 3, she employed precision and a rubato musical line, breathing life into the familiar Gavotte en Rondeau movement. [Read more…]
There are still so many ongoing effects from the pandemic: physical, mental, economic, and most devastating of all, linguistic, specifically when it comes to the word “debut.”
The shift online for concerts over the past year has included world premieres. And as amazing as it can be to gather in a room with other people and hear something that’s never been heard before, there’s a positive side to the new format. When the player has a history of not only winning solo competitions, but also creating impressive and stylish videos, perhaps a new piece can sail off into the world with a little extra propulsion.