Michael Partington performs solo music by Bryan Johanson, Leo Brouwer and Isaac Albeniz plus chamber music in "Conversations with Guitar," with faculty special guests Valerie Muzzolini Gordon, harp; Donna Shin, flute; and Stephen Stubbs, guitar.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Bryan Johanson: 6 Preludes
Isaac Albeniz: Cadiz and Mallorca
Leo Brouwer - Sonata
- Intermission -
Anton Diabelli - Variations on a Favorite Theme (with Stephen Stubbs, guitar)
Astor Piazzolla - Milonga del Angel and Zita (with Donna Shin, flute)
Alan Hovhaness - Spirit of Trees (with Valerie Muzzolini Gordon)
ARTIST BIO
Michael Partington, guitar
Michael Partington is one of the most engaging of the new generation of concert players. Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine for his "lyricism, intensity and clear technical command," this award-winning British guitarist has performed internationally as a soloist and with ensembles to unanimous critical praise. Audiences are put at ease by his charming stage manner and captivated by his musical interpretations. His innate rhythmic understanding and sense for tonal colour combine to form some of the most memorable phrasing to be heard on the guitar. He began playing guitar at age 6 while growing up in Wales, gave his first public performance at age 7, and won his first competition at age 9. He has trained with many of the world's greatest guitarists, including Oscar Ghiglia, Eliot Fisk, Eduardo Fernandez, Manuel Barrueco, and David Russell, who commented on his "exquisite good taste and fluid perfection." Partington received a performance degree from the University of Washington School of Music, where he was a Brechemin scholar and graduated magna cum laude. Since moving to the USA he has received awards in several guitar, instrumental, and concerto competitions. He has appeared throughout the USA, UK, Russia, and Scandinavia in solo recital, ensemble, and with orchestra. He has performed live on radio stations throughout the US and UK, including BBC Radio 3's In Tune, BBC Wales, and St. Paul Sunday on National Public Radio, and cable television in California, Montana and Washington. An advocate of new music, he has commissioned and premiered works by Stephen Goss, Bryan Johanson, Toshio Hosokawa, Angelo Gilardino, Tom Baker, Kevin Callahan and others. He is a frequent performer and teacher at festivals, including the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, Llantilio Crossenny Festival, Portland Guitar Festival, Northwest Guitar Festival, Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, Cascadia Festival and Chelan Bach Fest. Partington has also performed with Orchestra Seattle, Seattle Chamber Players, Seattle Creative Orchestra, Wenatchee Valley Symphony, Rainier Symphony, Portland State University Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Choral Company, and flutist Paul Taub in the duo Dinamici. He has released six solo CDs for Rosewood Recording and can also be heard on the Cadenza Music and Present Sounds labels.
Valerie Muzzolini Gordon
Harpist Valerie Muzzolini Gordon joins the School of Music faculty in Fall 2011 as a part-time lecturer in the Instrumental Performance division. She has been a member of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra since 2000 and has held the position of Principal Harp of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra since the age of twenty-three.
Donna Shin
Flutist Donna Shin has been praised for her beautifully-spun phrases, seductive sound, sterling technique, and charismatic exchanges with the audience. Described as "dazzling" by the Boston Globe, Shin has built an enviable reputation as a versatile performer of solo, chamber, orchestra, jazz and ancient Asian repertoire. Performing in concert halls throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, she is admired for her adventurous programming and expressive flair.
Stephen Stubbs
After a thirty year career in Europe, musical director and lutenist Stephen Stubbs returned to his native Seattle in 2006. Since then he has established his new production company, Pacific Musicworks, and developed a busy calendar as a guest conductor specializing in baroque opera and oratorio.