Internationally acclaimed harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and classical guitarist Jason Vieaux will perform a recital together for the “Art of the Guitar” series at New York’s 92Y.
Kondonassis and Vieaux began playing together in 2011, with a single performance of Alan Hovhaness’s Sonata, Op. 374: Spirit of Trees. Early on in their rehearsals, they realized that they not only loved the combination of harp and classical guitar as a duo, but they also enjoyed a great musical compatibility. This concert will mark the duo’s New York debut.
Together they will be performing a series that consists of that faithful sonata that brought them together, along with Máximo Diego Pujol’s "Suite Magica," Gary Schocker’s "Hypnosis," Keith Fitch’s "Knock on Wood" and Xavier Montsalvatge’s "Fantasia." Kondonassis and Vieaux will also each play a solo piece, with Vieaux performing an arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s "A Felicidade" and Kondonassis performing Carlos Salzedo’s "Chanson dans la nuit."
The Cleveland Plain Dealer praised the duo's performance as “a joy from top to bottom,” adding that “Kondonassis and Vieaux deserve to be termed magicians for the way they shaped phrases with natural fluidity, grace and, when required, fiery drama.”
This concert will follow the debut of the duo's first album Together, which is being released on Azica Records.
The “Art of the Guitar” performance will take place Feb. 28 at Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York. A free, pre-concert talk will take place 7 p.m. with your ticket with Benjamin Verdery, artistic director of 92Y’s Art of the Guitar series and chair of Yale’s guitar department. To learn more about the show or to purchase tickets, click here.
