Kaori Muraji and Vall Llach Ebriux

Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1978, Kaori Muraji received her first lessons on the guitar from her father Noboru Muraji at the age of three. At the age of ten, she continued her studies with the renowned guitarist Shinichi Fukuda. She won the top prize at the 1989 Junior Guitar Contest, and was the winner of the Student Guitar Competition in two consecutive years 1989 and 1991. She was the youngest ever student to win the Leo Brouwer International Guitar Concours and Tokyo International Guitar Concours in 1992.

In 1993, Ms. Muraji gave her debut recital at Tsuda Hall in Tokyo, which was soon followed by the release of her debut CD “Espressivo”. Her orchestra debut came in 1994 with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 1995 she was selected as soloist to tour with the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI on its Japan tour. In May of that year, the same orchestra invited Ms. Muraji to join them in one of their subscription concerts in Turin. The concert, which was broadcasted on TV throughout Europe, marked Ms. Muraji’s European debut.

Ms. Muraji continued her musical education, and in 1997 went to study under Albert Ponce at Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. In 1999, she had the extraordinary opportunity to perform for the legendary Joaquin Rodrigo, playing two of his compositions, Tiento antigno and En los trigales.

With her graduation from Ecole Normale that year, she returned to Japan to pursue her solo career, yet her international reputation continued to flourish. In 2001, Ms. Muraji performed for the first time with the Orquesta de Camara Joaquin Rodrigo in Valencia, Spain. In May of the following year, she toured Japan with the same ensemble as part of the centennial celebration of Rodrigo’s birth. She again joined the Vogler Quartet on their Japan tour in February of 2003.

In the summer of 2004, Kaori Muraji toured in Japan with Jose Maria Gallardo Del Rey. In December, she performed the Japan premiere of Lorenzo Palomo’s Nocturnos de Andalucia with Maestro Rafael Fruehbbeck de Burgos conducting the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Tokyo.

She has a serene, yet evocative style of playing that seems full of emotion and passion. A great way to start the week.

Elegy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzv5F03dWSw

Spanish Dances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2z2VnuzYW4

Fantasia para un Gentilhombre:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTrNs9HOIwU

Notturno No. 2, Chopin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foul5rTtRpE

Here there and everywhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5eHLAACzcs

Tears in heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry23Xm1WNH4

Recuerdos De La Alhambra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXRFm1AZIkA

Medley from - New Cinema Paradise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAaIiQeh9iU

Concerto De Aranjuez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7_GzPsguzk

Etude No. 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6YF25ISOo

Over the rainbow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mKn2M99sRY

The fool on the hill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3T5wB0UAM

Tango en skai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJONmetWr8c

Because one of her favorite guitarist/composers is Joaquin Rodrigo, I suggest a Spanish wine. I uncorked just the ticket this weekend, namely a bottle of the 2007 Vall Llach Embriux (pronounced “Embroosh”; $24.00) from Spain’s Priorat region. This is my favorite Spanish wine, witnessed by the fact that I buy it by the case. This deep ruby red wine is primarily Garnacha accented by touches of  Cariñena grapes and opens with aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, and exotic spices. It’s taste is complex following aroma, but adding flavors of chocolate, plum, and boysenberries with soft tannins. It’s a wonderful wine to enjoy with the music of a stellar guitarist.

Cheers!

Michael Chapdelaine & Chad Pinot Noir

When I’m working or writing, there’s one guitarist above all other whom I love to listen to. Michael Chapdelaine has a style that bridges so many different genres that I can listen to him forever, and I often do. He is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world's top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield , Kansas.  At Winfield he beat out over thirty-eight steel string guitarists playing a nylon string guitar. His performances, played on both steel string and classical guitars, include musical styles ranging from blues to Bach to country to rhythm n' blues.

As a classical guitarist in the 80s and 90s he proved himself one of the greatest classical guitarists after twice winning the coveted National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant, and taking First Prize in both the Guitar Foundation of America's and the Music Teachers National Association's Guitar Competitions. He also won the Silver Medal in Venezuela's VIII Concurso International de Guitarra "Alirio Diaz".

His 1992 recording the “Sonata Romantica CD,” now re-released as "Mexico" on his website, is acclaimed by many critics and connoisseurs of classical guitar as one of the definitive recordings for the instrument. In fact, Acoustic Guitar magazine wrote "... if I were marooned on a desert island with a limited selection of recordings, this one would be among my choices...I have seldom heard a more beautiful album. Other young guitarists have excellent technique, but few have such style and musicality, and Chapdelaine's beautiful tone is the nearest to Segovia's that I can recall." Their comment isn’t surprising since one of Michael’s teachers was Andres Segovia, universally acclaimed as the greatest classical guitarist of all time.

In 1994 Michael turned his attention to pop music, in arranging, producing and recording Time-Life Music's beautiful Guitar by Moonlight collection, which sold 250,000 copies in it's first two years in the stores. In 1998, he once again, expanded his musical range and gained instant notoriety and credibility in the "acoustic music" world as a "fingerstyle" guitarist and composer, by winning the 1998 National Fingerpicking Championships at Winfield.  

He holds a Master of Music degree from Florida State University and is Professor of Music and head of guitar studies at the University of New Mexico. Previously he’s been on the faculties of the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State University. His original compositions, which he has only recently introduced to the public, bring together a broad variety of musical styles from classical to country to blues.

His renditions of pop songs like “Somebody I Used To Know,” “She’s Leaving Home,” “California Dreamin,” and “Safe and Sound” are beautiful, yet songs like “Wipeout” and “Walk don’t Run show a playful side.” But don’t miss his classical compositions or his originals, especially “Rain Dance.” They truly demonstrate his virtuosity. He’s one of my favs and I’m sure he’ll be one of yours. Enjoy!

Mad World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGVV8eo4aNs

Somebody I used to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeqrD2RcACM

Come together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqFKhgZto5I

California Dreamin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu78nxzY3uk

Romanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6RkGvZ9zGo

Wipeout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zatyy3iJI9Y

She’s leaving home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT48TVWfy0g

Heard it through the grapevine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuT8UfwBd0s

Walk don’t run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eyHKrd-hMA

Capricho Arabe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_IyslZBfQg 

Rose in Spanish Harlem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeconFupOxw

Hit the road Jack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6qO-wAh4Pg

Mallorca by Albeniz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbMm4rdvu9c

Villa Lobos Prelude 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgijMZMrgw

Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwtbZ0pT5Dw

Amazing Grace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wuDelXAJ7M

Blue Chile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkFo5Z2j2uk

Gavotte en Rondeau: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_GNwWrPWO8

Mysterious Barricades: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO__iHHQyC0

Rain Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stbXx0rColk

Safe and Sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1x1txmfuV8

I like lighter wines in summer time,  so I generally gravitate toward whites like French Sancerres, New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, or Pinot Blancs, but my main summer reds are Pinot Noirs and tonight’s 2011 Chad Pinot Noir Carneros Reserve ($19.00) is a fantastic one. I’ve been a fan of Chad wines for years through many cases of his Cabernet Sauvignons, but this Pinot is fantastic. It has a deep ruby-red color saturated to the edge. Flavors of strawberries, black cherries, rhubarb, a hint of cloves, and a touch of allspice and cardamom move in and out of the background. It’s juicy for a Pinot with a suggestion of cocoa in the background on the nose. The wine is bright with fresh acidity and a long finish. If it appears that I love this wine, it’s true. I do, and it accompanies the music of Michael Chapdelaine perfectly. Pick up a case for the summer. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Lawson Rollins and Crozes Hermitage Les Jalet

Just returned from a grueling European business trip—Amsterdam, Paris, Groningen, and Leiden all in seven days. Didn’t sleep much, but had some great science discussions, met with old friends, and drank some nice wines. I had today’s guitarist in the que for posting, but thought I’d move it up since Duane Pemberton (Facebook Friend) posted one of Lawson’s amazing videos.

When I first heard Lawson Rollins some years ago, I was blown away, not just by his technical proficiency, but his passionate interpretations of free-flowing Latin jazz, easy listening bossa nova, melodic classical pieces, and fiery flamenco, were an astounding combination of guitar styles. He has received critical acclaim through numerous collaborations, radio airplay, and the admiration of his guitarist peers. Guitar Player Magazine wrote, "Rollins seduces in so many ways that it's almost unfair. His classical tone is gorgeous, his technique is impeccable, his subtle genre blending is compelling."

Lawson developed a love for the Spanish guitar in his mid-teens through the recordings of classical guitar maestro, Andres Segovia. Through private study with several guitar teachers and master class workshops, Lawson developed his own expressive voice on the guitar and honed what, in my opinion, is an uncommonly dexterous classical fingerstyle technique. 

By his early twenties, Lawson's sense of rhythm, compositional ability, and love of improvisation led him in the direction of the improvisational freedom of Latin jazz and rhythmically enticing Spanish folk guitar styles. After graduating with an English major from Duke University and a graduate degree from the London School of Economics, Lawson moved to Washington, D.C. and in 1998 partnered with guitarist Daniel Young to form the genre-busting Latin guitar fusion group Young & Rollins. In 2007 after years of successful partnerships, Lawson moved to San Francisco to pursue his ambitions as a soloist. His style combines salsa, Latin jazz, blues, samba, bossa nova, flamenco, and classical music, all based on around a solid foundation of sparkling technical ability. I hope you enjoy him.

The Fire Cadenza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9PRzIyzFA

Santa Ana Wind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g9HvbKiHNc&feature=fvwrel

Improvisations on Persian Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZS1Dsk2GPU&feature=relmfu

Southwind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHb0tilEtLU&feature=related

Migration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOZTWFNpjT8&feature=related

Into the Light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOWIKMmiWN0&feature=related

Havana Heat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeLQA12aRes&feature=related

Echos of Madrid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wEH9Kb_ZM

Espiritu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn86Rvrm5Fg

Moonlight Samba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyRS1Ix4bAA

The Awakening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB5vsRbOWws

Capetown Sky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6owfeGZ2C1Y

Footprints: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88AKPpAvK0A

Persian Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZS1Dsk2GPU&feature=relmfu

Since I spent some time in France last week, I’m going to pair  Lawson with a 2008 Crozes Hermitage Les Jalet  from  Paul Jaboulet-Aîné that I enjoyed there. Crozes-Hermitage is an appellation for wines from an area on the eastern bank of the Rhone River, to the north and south of Tain L'Hermitage town. Its name, “jalets,” comes from the the Old French word for the pebbles left by alpine glaciers, as can be found at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Crozes-Hermitage wines are made almost exclusively from Syrah.

Like any good Syrah, its color is dark ruby and displays fragrant red and dark berry fruit scents. Its supple dark cherry and raspberry flavors are accompanied by some peppery spice and friendly tannins. The finish is silky with a bit of lingering sweetness. It went well with my steak tartare, just as it goes well with the music of Lawson Rollins. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Tom Ward & Xavier Gigondas

Tom Ward was born in Tasmania, Australia in 1983. He began classical studies in 1997 at St. Cecillia School of Music with violinist & guitar teacher Matthews Tyson. There he received two music Diplomas. By 2001 Tom had won first place in numerous music competitions and released his first CD ‘Tasmanian Sunrise’.

In 2001, on full scholarship, Tom started his Bachelors in Music under the mentorship of Timothy Kain at the Australian National University. He received a first class honours degree in 2005. During this period Tom also had the opportunity to study with artists Geoffrey Lancaster, Pavel Steidl & Carlo Barone.

He’s received numerous awards for his playing including:

*Tasmanian Composer of the Year (2000) (Australian Society of Musicology & Composition).

*Foundation for Young Australians, Australia Day Young Citizen of the year (2003).

*1st Place in the ensemble section (guitar trio) at the Australian International Guitar Festival (2004).

*1st place, Open Instrumental section, Hobart Eisteddfod (2004).

*Finalist at the International Gisborne Music Competition New Zealand (2004).

He’s a real, live, shredding classical guitarist as you’ll see watching his videos. Enjoy!

Introducing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudOnxI7NxM

Fantasy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPv22wxyM6s&feature=related

Caprice No. 24: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXGcuZaE0w&feature=related

Etude No. 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zuV-THmWbM&feature=related

Etude No. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNFBlEnrU0g&feature=related

Dansa Brasileira: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpEVzBadp8E&feature=related

Prelude No. 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruA3zl5aF-s&feature=related

Bailalaika: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rNt-rzLqN0&feature=related

Recuerdos de la Alhambra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyNevtGB-8E&feature=related

Hika: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw_y_NnLxas&feature=related

El Colibri: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_yj9B8hllE&feature=related

Pitt Street Mall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0VUTCdNGpU&feature=related

Busking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWlk4cnhUkw&feature=related

To capture the essence of classical music, I suggest 2009 Xavier Gigondas ($22.00). I bought four bottles of this wine and was very disappointed in the first one. Just not what I expected. However, I let the second bottle breathe for 2.5 hours and it made a considerable difference. The wine really opened up displaying a rich bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, and violets. It’s deep purple colored with a palate that exhibits lots of fruit with a full mouth-feel. The Xavier Gigondas is composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah from vines that average 80 years in age. Just to be sure, I opened a third bottle last night and gave it the same treatment. Again, it was very nice. And with the classical guitar shredding of Tom Ward, it makes for a great way to spend a chilly evening. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Dimitri Illarionov & Brancaia Tre

Dimitri Illarionov (born 1979) is a brilliant young Russian classical guitarist. In 1997, he graduated with honors from the Academic Music College at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, then studied at the Russian Gnesins's Academy of Music with Professor Alexander Frauchi, graduating cum laude in 2002. He studied with the Russian composer and guitarist Nikita Koshkin as well as prominent guitarists Carlo Marchione and Roberto Ausselll.

Dimitri is the winner and laureate of numerous international competitions in the USA, Spain, Italy, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Russia. He took second place in the III Alexander Tansman International Competition of Musical Personalities (Lodz, Poland - 2000) in which piano, violin, cello, guitar and other instruments compete directly with each other. Dimitri’s success there was the highest place ever by a guitarist.  In October 2002 Illarionov won one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world – The Twentieth International Guitar Foundation of America Solo Guitar Competition (GFA – Miami, Florida, USA). He followed that in 2006 when he won prizes for best interpretations of the music of two of the best-known Romantic composers for guitar – the Francisco Tarrega Prize (Francisco Tarrega Competition in Benicassim, Spain) and the Agustin Barrios Prize (Agustin Barrios Competition in Nuoro, Italy). Currently, he is on a concert tour across Europe. He musical repertoire is diverse ranging from baroque to Renaissance, to modern. He is truly a bright rising star in the world of classical guitar. Hope you like him.

Las Abejas by Agustín Barrios: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ev6HXhENXQ&feature=related

Passacaglia by Tansman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WlQJ24qWNk&feature=related

Francisco Tarrega’s Carnival of Venice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn--js38c50&feature=related

Richard Johnson’s The Promise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaZCxAPV17Y&feature=related

Tango en Skai by Roland Dyens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaRpQKjBEJQ&feature=related

Aranjuez by Rodrigo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPRPz3jjLzE&feature=related

Un dia de Noviembre" by Leo Brouwer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-pPQM_LdSY&feature=related

Valseana (II) & Preludio e Toccatina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKG38G7SqHM&feature=related

Alexei Rybnikov "Andersen's Fairy Tales": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rt0oiL6gSs&feature=related

Virtuosos of Guitar concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO65JHmmIw0&feature=related

Skye Boat Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8e-xNIDzo

I think European when I listen to classical guitar so I’m pairing Dimitri with the 2007 Brancaia Tre ($20.00). Tre means three and as the name implies, it’s a blend of predominantly Sangiovese with touches of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was the #10 wine in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2009 and it’s a spectacular value. Aromas of dark berries and fresh flowers are followed by flavors of raspberry, blackberry and coffee with velvety tannins and a long soft finish full of fruit character. The 2007 is the best of the vintages I’ve tasted of this wine, but you won’t go wrong with any of them. Beautiful wine and a brilliant guitarist make for a great way to end the weekend. Enjoy!

Cheers!