Georgia Guitar Quartet
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Guitar Quartet began in 1996 in Athens, Georgia
at the behest of John Sutherland, instructor of guitar studies at the University of Georgia
and pupil of Andres Segovia
. The quartet still comprises all four original founding members: Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith, Phil Snyder, and Jason Solomon. The group is known for performing a wide array of musical styles, including classical, experimental music
, jazz, rock, bluegrass, celtic, etc. The quartet has released four CDs. Their first, self-titled CD (1997) contains standard compositions and arrangements for four guitars. Their second CD, "A Live Portrait" (1999), showcases the group's energetic live performances and demonstrates their emerging propensity for inventive arrangements and original compositions. This trend is fully fleshed out in the group's third release, entitled "Mosaic" (2004). This recording features one original composition and arrangements made either by or for the quartet. The ensemble's latest release, "Puzzle" (2007), features all-original compositions by the members of the group, including several collaborative compositions and structured improvisations. Among the composers who have recently written music specifically for the quartet are Russian composer Nikita Koshkin
and American composer Leonard V. Ball.
The Georgia Guitar Quartet performs regularly throughout the United States. In 2006, the quartet performed Joaquín Rodrigo
's Concerto Andaluz with the Utah Symphony Orchestra
at the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah
. In 2001, the Quartet was invited by Christopher Parkening
to perform as the guest artists at his twenty-seventh annual masterclass in Bozeman, Montana
. A review of their Piccolo Spoleto Festival performance in Charleston, South Carolina
, described the concert as "a dazzling display of technical prowess, versatile programming, and audience rapport." The town of Athens, which boasts a rich musical heritage, has honored the ensemble by awarding them "Best Classical Artist" in Athens five years in a row at the Flagpole Music Awards presented by Flagpole Magazine
.
A Live Portrait (1999)
Mosaic (2004)
Puzzle (2007)
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
at the behest of John Sutherland, instructor of guitar studies at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
and pupil of Andres Segovia
Andrés Segovia
Andrés Torres Segovia, 1st Marquis of Salobreña , known as Andrés Segovia, was a virtuoso Spanish classical guitarist from Linares, Jaén, Andalucia, Spain...
. The quartet still comprises all four original founding members: Kyle Dawkins, Brian Smith, Phil Snyder, and Jason Solomon. The group is known for performing a wide array of musical styles, including classical, experimental music
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
, jazz, rock, bluegrass, celtic, etc. The quartet has released four CDs. Their first, self-titled CD (1997) contains standard compositions and arrangements for four guitars. Their second CD, "A Live Portrait" (1999), showcases the group's energetic live performances and demonstrates their emerging propensity for inventive arrangements and original compositions. This trend is fully fleshed out in the group's third release, entitled "Mosaic" (2004). This recording features one original composition and arrangements made either by or for the quartet. The ensemble's latest release, "Puzzle" (2007), features all-original compositions by the members of the group, including several collaborative compositions and structured improvisations. Among the composers who have recently written music specifically for the quartet are Russian composer Nikita Koshkin
Nikita Koshkin
Nikita Koshkin is a classical guitarist and composer born in Moscow. His early influences included Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev, as well as rock music...
and American composer Leonard V. Ball.
The Georgia Guitar Quartet performs regularly throughout the United States. In 2006, the quartet performed Joaquín Rodrigo
Joaquín Rodrigo
Joaquín Rodrigo Vidre, 1st Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez , commonly known as Joaquín Rodrigo, was a composer of classical music and a virtuoso pianist. Despite being nearly blind from an early age, he achieved great success...
's Concerto Andaluz with the Utah Symphony Orchestra
Utah Symphony Orchestra
-History:The first attempt to create a symphony group in the Utah area occurred in 1892, before Utah was a state. The Salt Lake Symphony was created and presented just one concert before disbanding. In 1902 the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra was formed, and it remained in existence until 1911...
at the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
. In 2001, the Quartet was invited by Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening is an American classical guitarist.Parkening was born in Los Angeles, California, and pursued music in part because of his cousin Jack Marshall, a studio musician in the 1960s. Marshall first introduced Parkening to the recordings of Andrés Segovia when he was 11, and...
to perform as the guest artists at his twenty-seventh annual masterclass in Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
. A review of their Piccolo Spoleto Festival performance in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, described the concert as "a dazzling display of technical prowess, versatile programming, and audience rapport." The town of Athens, which boasts a rich musical heritage, has honored the ensemble by awarding them "Best Classical Artist" in Athens five years in a row at the Flagpole Music Awards presented by Flagpole Magazine
Flagpole Magazine
Flagpole Magazine, often abbreviated to simply Flagpole, is an American alternative newsweekly that focuses on the cultural scene of Athens, Georgia and its surrounding communities. It was founded by Jared Bailey and Dennis Greenia in 1984 and is currently edited and published by Pete McCommons...
.
Discography
The Georgia Guitar Quartet (1997)A Live Portrait (1999)
Mosaic (2004)
Puzzle (2007)