DREAMSCAPES for Guitar, Flute & Viola

On Friday, December 12, guitarist Michael Nicolella, flutist Jeffrey Cohan and violist Roxanna Patterson perform the world premiere of In Dreams or flute and viola by Seattle-area composer Huntley Beyer, along with a new work for solo guitar by Michael Nicolella. and early 19th-century chamber music for guitar with flute and viola. This combination of instruments was extremely popular during Beethoven and Schubert’s time but has been little heard from since.

With a repertoire spanning from J.S. Bach to Jimi Hendrix, Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America’s most innovative classical guitar virtuosos. He has received wide critical acclaim for his performances, recordings and compositions. As a concert artist, Michael has performed throughout North America and Europe as solo recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestra.

A uniquely eclectic and versatile artist, Michael blurs the lines between musical styles and disciplines. He is part of a growing trend in classical music to revitalize the role of the composer/performer. As a concert artist he frequently programs his own works for guitar in solo recital and chamber music settings.

Known for his creative programming, Michael has introduced electric guitar into his “classical” programs and extended the repertoire and audience of his instrument not only with his own compositions and transcriptions, but also by premiering and commissioning works by some of today’s most exciting emerging composers. In the last five years alone, he has premiered over a dozen new orks for classical and electric guitar in solo, chamber and orchestral settings. In reference to his abilities on the classical and electric guitar, noted guitar composer, scholar and critic John Duarte stated in an issue of “Gramophone” magazine that:”Others have ‘crossed the track’ in one direction or the other but none has done so with the technical and/or musical success as Nicolella, who, chameleon-like, achieves comparable distinction in both fields”.

The concert is to be held at 7:00 PM at Bethel Church at 14736 Bethel Lane ion Vashon Island, on 119th Ave SW at SW 148th St. The suggested donation (a free will offering) will be $15, $20 or $25. For tickets and further information please see www.candlelightseattle.org, or call Bethel Church at (206) 567-4255.