NSS to Perform Final Concerts for 2011-2012
Season on Mother's Day Weekend, May 12 & 13
The North State Symphony’s final concert of the 2011-2012 season — “Across the Seas, From Ages Past” — features a Spanish guitar concerto and two Romantic German orchestra showpieces.
Performances of “Across the Seas From Ages Past” take place Mother’s Day Weekend — Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Redding’s Cascade Theatre, and Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. in Chico’s Laxson Auditorium.
Guitar soloist Matthew Greif is a member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet; both his mother and aunt (Redding violinist Cherie Gans) will be performing in the orchestra backing Greif.
“All three pieces on this concert are inspired by nostalgia and legend,” said North State Symphony conductor/music director Kyle Wiley Pickett. “All this music recalls the past.”
The work Greif will perform with the NSS, “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo, has been recorded dozens of times and has inspired both jazz and traditional interpretations.
Pickett will also lead the orchestra in Robert Schumann’s “Symphony #4,” and Richard Wagner’s Overture to the opera “The Flying Dutchman.” Pickett described the two German works as “powerful, energetic and beautiful.”
Pickett, as he normally does, will give short talks an hour prior to each performance. Call 898-5984 for more information.
“We’ve been amazingly successful this year,” said Pickett, “thanks to our terrific sponsors, donors and audiences!”
Information on the 2012-13 season, to begin in September, will be available at the May concerts.
Advance tickets for the Saturday, May 12 Redding concert are available at www.cascadetheatre.org or by calling 243-8877. Tickets to the Sunday, May 13 Chico concert may be purchased at the University Box Office, 898-6333 or at www.chicostatetickets.com.
Concert sponsors in Redding are Dr. Pamela Ikuta and Dr. Jeff Price, and in Chico, Matson and Isom.
For more information, call 898-5984 or visit www.northstatesymphony.org
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Matthew Greif Bio
Matthew Greif is a member of the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, with whom he has toured worldwide. Previously, he was a member of the Falla Guitar Trio.
In addition to his work with LAGQ, and as soloist, he has performed in an array of concert settings. Past performances include the L.A. Philharmonic Green Umbrella series at Disney Hall, and appearances with music legends Dave Brubeck and Chet Atkins.
Greif is a very diverse guitar player. His critically-acclaimed debut recording, “Permanent Transition,” featured the world premieres of world music/classical solo compositions as well as duo improvisations with Andrew York and Dusan Bogdanovic. The CD “El Encanto” featured favorites of the classical guitar repertoire. His latest CD, “Circle,” is a modern jazz recording, featuring mostly original compositions.
Greif, who currently teaches guitar at CSU, Domingo Hills, El Camino College and Los Angeles Harbor College, was raised in a family of musicians, including his aunt, NSS violinist Cherie Gans. His early music education took place on many instruments, in many musical styles, before the guitar captured his full attention.
Upon completion of Master's and Bachelor's degrees from U.S.C., where he studied with William Kanengiser, Scott Tennant, and James Smith, Greif was named Outstanding Graduate of the guitar program.
He also studied in master classes with David Russell, Christopher Parkening, Manuel Barrueco, and many others. He spent two summers studying in Spain with Jose Tomas and Pepe Romero.
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