Segovia Classical Guitar Series Celebrates Global Artistry

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University’s 2014-15 Segovia Classical Guitar Series, which showcases some of the world’s top artists, honors Andres Segovia, who is considered to be one of the greatest classical guitarists of the 20th century.

This year’s series invites audiences to explore the colorful sounds of the guitar, from reimagined Russian repertoire to a blend of American and Brazilian jazz.  

Co-presented by the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music and the Chicago Classical Guitar Society, the series’ five remaining winter and spring performances will be held on the University’s Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive or Lutkin Hall, 700 University Place, as noted.

• SOLD OUT/Ana Vidović, who was born in Croatia, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at Lutkin Hall. Vidović’s competition wins have included New York’s Young Concert Artists International Auditions and Rome’s Fernando Sor Competition. Boasting a recorded repertoire ranging from Bach violin sonatas to Piazzola tangos, she has performed for audiences across Europe and the United States. Her program will include works by Bach, Lauro and Sor. The Baltimore Sun praised her “finely honed technique and a remarkable stylistic sensitivity.” Tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for students with valid IDs. Tickets are no longer available.

• Ana Vidović, Guitar Master Class, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, Lutkin Hall. In addition to her Jan. 31 sold-out performance, Vidovic also will give a master class for pre-selected Bienen School guitar students. Admission is free and open to the public.

• Russian guitarist Anton Baranov, who is known for his daring interpretations and innovative programming, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Lutkin Hall. Baranov has cemented his place among classical guitar’s international talents with wins in more than 15 prestigious international guitar competitions, including the Andrés Segovia, Agustin Barrios and Pittaluga Guitar competitions. This season his program includes works by Legnani, Barrios, Antón Abril and others. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for students with valid IDs.

• The Assads will share the stage with Brazilian jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo in “Samba Exotico” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Brazilian-born brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad have played a major role in creating and introducing new music for two guitars. Their repertoire includes original compositions and arrangements by Sérgio Assad, transcriptions of baroque keyboard literature, and adaptations of works by such diverse composers as Gershwin, Ginastera and Debussy. Lubambo is renowned for his fluency in any musical setting. He brings his improvisatory skills to music drawn from his Brazilian roots and American jazz influences. Tickets are $26 for the general public and $10 for students with valid IDs.

• Belgium’s Raphaella Smits and Adrien Brogna will perform mid-19th century repertoire on eight-string guitars at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in Lutkin Hall. These instruments expand the guitar’s register, allowing for the historically accurate performance of repertoire by such influential composers as Mertz and Coste. Smits and Brogna have earned international acclaim for their faithful interpretations and unmatched musicality. Tickets are $22 for the general public and $10 for students with valid IDs.

• The Canadian Guitar Quartet program will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The group has often been featured on national broadcasts in North and South America and Europe, on a “Classical Guitar Alive” webcast from the United States and with orchestras across the globe. The quartet's 2007 New York City debut on the 92nd Street Y’s “Art of the Guitar” series was enthusiastically received with several standing ovations, and CGQ’s three recordings have won awards and international critical acclaim.  Tickets are $24 for the general public and $10 for students with valid IDs.

For more information, call the Bienen School of Music Concert Management Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit www.pickstaiger.org. To order tickets, call the Bienen School Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000 or visit www.pickstaiger.org.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY’S ARTS CIRCLE DRIVE 

Northwestern’s Arts Circle Drive has reopened for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The road, drive-up handicap access to Arts Circle Drive venues, the pedestrian path at the lakefront and all sidewalks are now open for public use. New improvements to the South Beach Garage have also eliminated the need to use the stairways since both levels of the two-story parking structure are now accessible to persons with disabilities for easy access to Bienen School of Music venues. Additional parking is also available in the new Segal Visitors Center at 1841 Sheridan Road. For more information, call (847) 491-5441 or visit www.pickstaiger.org.