Guitar Celebration at MSU Denver
October 5-6, 2012
Message from the director:
Hello all guitar aficionados! At the MSU Denver Department of Music it is our honor to present the superb French guitarist-composer Roland Dyens in concert within the amazing acoustics of the King Center Concert Hall. This unique and trend-setting guitarist is equally at home improvising diverse music as he is writing monumental classical modern works of extraordinary depth. Unlike traditional classical players, Roland announces his program from the stage without a formal program, allowing him maximum improvisatory expression.
The event continues on Saturday morning with a free master class/workshop that is open to all. MSU Denver guitar performance majors will perform especially for Roland who will critique the performances that will include music from Roland's "Hamsa" quartet music.
Warm regards to all,
Alex Komodore
Guitar Celebrations Founder/Director
Assisted by Affiliate Guitar faculty Jeff Gleason and Jeff LaQuatra
Schedule of Events
Friday, October 5
In Concert: Roland Dyens
King Center Concert Hall, 7:30 pm
Tickets $15, general; $10, seniors and students
King Center Box Office: 303-556-2296
Saturday, October 6
Master Class: Roland Dyens
Featuring Metro State Performance Majors
King Center Recital Hall, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Free parking for Guitar Celebration is in the Seventh Street Parking Garage, located just west of the King Center on Seventh Street between Walnut and Lawrence Streets.
Special Guest Artist: Roland Dyens
Today ...
Roland Dyens shares the joy of his musical talent while performing, composing and teaching throughout the world. This tri-dimensional offering provides the basis for the phenomenal success of this musician and his ongoing evolution.
Never falling short of a full event, his concerts unfold for his audience as a personal experience of emotional awakening. Deeply inspired in this arena of musical unity, audience members will often later use the impact of the artist’s virtuosity and creativity in their own perception of music. For those of Roland Dyens’ audiences who are unfamiliar with the contours and nuances of classical guitar performance, they often witness an inspirational discovery of the instrument and its musical potential.
Roland Dyens has a sensitive and colorful approach to the guitar – an unfailing open-mindedness which brings together all forms of music to each of his recitals. His stage presence, his improvised openings and his unique relationship with the listeners, undeniably position him at the forefront of guitar performance.
For many decades, his music has been an integral part of the instrument’s repertoire, placing him at the heart of a select group of contemporary guitarist/composers who enjoy such a privileged position. Roland Dyens' compositions and arrangements are widely performed and highly acclaimed throughout the world. They provide a new breath of life for the guitar as this player and composer never ceases to challenge the limitations of his instrument.
The growing number of participants and auditors in Maestro Dyens’ Master Classes is surely due to the depth of his presentation which is rich in innovative themes. With a keen sense of quality and emotional strength, his natural ability to communicate with guitarists of younger generations transforms the formality of a Master Class into a joyful encounter.
Roland Dyens teaches at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.
Yesterday ...
Born on October 19, 1955, French interpreter, composer, arranger and improviser Roland Dyens began guitar studies at the age of nine. Four years later he became a student of Spanish Master guitarist Alberto Ponce and, in 1976, was awarded the Licence de Concert de l’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris.
While learning his instrument, Roland Dyens also studied composition with the renowned teacher, composer and orchestra director, Désiré Dondeyne, under whose guidance he was awarded the First Prize in Harmony, Counterpoint and Analysis.
Among the many distinguished awards obtained during the early years of his career, he received the Special Prize at The International Competition “Citta di Alessandria” and The Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles-Cros, both in honor of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
When he was 25 years old he became a Laureate of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation.
At the young age of 33, he was recognized as one of the 100 Best Living Guitarists in All Styles by the prominent French magazine “Guitarist”.
In September 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Chitarra d’Oro 2006 (Golden Guitar-2006) for his lifetime contributions to composition, by the Presidency of International Guitar Competition "Città di Alessandria” in Italy.
The Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) chose Roland Dyens to compose the Mandatory “set piece” for their 2007 International Guitar Competition. This composition, titled Anyway, continues to receive enthusiastic world-wide reviews.
The Winnipeg Free Press, established in 1872, awarded “Five Stars” in their review of his recital in 2007. This was only the second time this daily newspaper has given this high praise.
In July, 2008 International Guitar Festival of Fiuggi, Italy recognized him with their Lifetime Achievement in Composition Award.
In January 2010, one hundred guitarists were invited to perform at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in homage to the great Django Reinhardt for the Centenary of his birth. Of the 100 guitarists, only one classical guitarist was invited -- Roland Dyens.
This presentation is made possible by the Metro State Diversity Initiatives Grant and the Metro State Music Activities Committee. Thank you for your generous support!
