Mesut Özgen, guitarist/composer
GuitART Newsletter
October 2018
Milano Classical Guitar Festival
I had the privilege to perform the opening concert of Milano Classical Guitar Festival at the wonderful Palazzina Liberty in Musica on September 21st in Italy. Many thanks to the festival director Marco Battaglia! Next concert of the festival will be performed by Gabriel Guillen on October 13, 2018.
Upcoming Concerts in Washington and Bangkok
I will be performing concerts in Washington, as part of the Guitar in the Gallery Concert Series, and Bangkok as part of the Thailand International Guitar Festival. The 2018-19 Season of Guitar in the Gallery Concert Series are presented by the Caulkins Guitar Duo in Ellensburg and Soap Lake from October 2018 through May 2019.
Florida Guitar Festival from October 5-7
The Classical Guitar Society at FSU is hosting the Florida Guitar Festival and Competition on FSU’s campus in Tallahassee, Florida from October 5-7. Among the featured artists are William Kanengiser, Rafael Padron, Daniel Bolshoy, Samuel Hines, Nicholas Ciraldo, and Bruce Holzman. The Festival Directors are Benjamin Lougheed and Cody Switzer.
Don’t miss the final two days of festival, including Rafael Padron, Daniel Bolshoy, Bill Kanengiser, and the Festival Guitar Orchestra. Tickets at FSU Fine Arts Ticket Office!
Yamandu Costa Concert and Lecture on Oct. 14-15
Brazilian 7-string guitar genius Yamandu Costa is visiting FIU School of Music Guitar Ensemble (Room 157) to present a free lecture/demo on Monday, October 15 at 2pm.
Multiple Latin GRAMMY nominee for Best Instrumental Album, Yamandu Costa is a unique improviser and interpreter who does not fit into single category, but instead creates his own when playing his 7-string guitar. Extensive touring has showcased his genius and natural ability of enchanting the audience at sold out venues in Brazil and around the world. So far, Yamandu has recorded 13 CDs and 3 DVDs, solo, in duo or with his trio. He has also performed as featured soloist with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Sáo Paulo, Calgary Philharmonic, and the Orchestre National de France. His passion and unique style has inspired many young musicians who are following his new school of playing the guitar.
Don’t miss the Miami debut concert of guitar virtuoso Yamandu Costa. Tickets at AventuraCenter.org
2019 Miami International GuitART Festival Dates Announced
After the marvelous celebration of Miami’s Cuban Heritage in the 2018 Miami International GuitART Festival, we will be presenting the fourth edition of the festival from February 19-24, 2019. Thank you so much for making our festival a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you so much also for sharing our excitement and joy of being part of this major festival with a wonderful group of artists, students, and audiences at FIU. It has been an extraordinary series of events filled with the enthusiasm and energy of all the participants, including the artists and students, as well as the outstanding reception from the audiences. You can view the videos and photos of previous festival events on the festival website at migf.fiu.edu. More videos will also be posted regularly on the MIGF YouTube Channel as well as MIGF Facebook Page. The MIGF 2019 will again present wonderful artists in nine concerts, four masterclasses, five lectures, and a composers panel, as well as the annual composition competition and luthiers expo. Don’t miss the EARLY BIRD SPECIAL of the 2019 MIGF Festival Pass until October 20th!
Call for Submissions to 2019 MIGF Composition Competition
The 2019 Miami International GuitART Festival Composition Competition invites composers to submit new works written for solo guitar with or without electronics by January 15, 2019. The competition is open to composers of all nationalities and ages. Multiple works may be submitted. More info and complete competition guidelines can be found at http://migf.fiu.edu/2019/composition-competition/
GetAcceptd to the FIU School of Music and Major in Classical Guitar
You can apply to FIU School of Music through a digital application tool called GetAcceptd!! The guitar program at FIU offers aspired students a wide range of opportunities to develop necessary skills on their way to become high-level professional musicians. Many types of scholarships and financial aid are offered. However, the best scholarships are available if you apply by NOVEMBER 1st! More info about admissions.
FIU Music Festival Begins on October 26th!
The FIU Music Festival will be held from October 26-November 10. The festival had originally started in 1996 by maestro Fredrick Kaufman, the founding director of FIU School of Music, as a weeklong celebration and inauguration of the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center. This year the festival presents 12 concerts featuring Grammy Award-winning and internationally acclaimed artists, faculty performers, artists-in-residence and student ensembles.
Video from the New Dimensions in Classical Guitar DVD
Gigue by Anthony Newman from New Dimensions in Classical Guitar DVD
Check out my performance of Gigue from the neo-Baroque Suite for Guitar by the great keyboard virtuoso, Baroque specialist, and composer Anthony Newman. It was premiered by Maestro Benjamin Verdery in the 80s. In fact, I had heard it first time from a vinyl recording insertion of the Guitar Player Magazine, when I was studying with Ben at Yale in the 90s!
Visuals for Gigue was created by Peter Elsea as a feedback visualization technique produced in real time using the program “Jitter” in 2004. A circular flower-like pattern (though outdated in today’s vastly improved digital technology) was generated by the “Jitter,” responding to each note during the live performance, depending on the volume, pitch, and timbre, but also manipulated by Peter Elsea to transform the overall shape and colors, according to the mood of each section.
More info about the Multimedia Concert DVD “New Dimensions in Classical Guitar”
