September 12, 2014

World-renowned guitarist 'virtuoso' to perform SVSU concert

Internationally-known guitarist Javier Calderón will perform in concert at Saginaw Valley State University Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Rhea Miller Recital Hall. The performance is part of SVSU’s Rhea Miller Concert Series.

The program includes music by composers such as German composer J.S. Bach, English composer Henry Purcell and Mexican composer Manuel Ponce.

From La Paz, Bolivia, Calderón played with the Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. He performed his solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall. The New York Times called him "a virtuoso with poetic sensibility."

Calderón tours in the United States, Europe and South America, and has performed chamber music concerts with popular cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Many composers have written and dedicated guitar concertos and solo pieces to Calderón.  
He recorded the Hovhaness Concerto for guitar and orchestra with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and released the CD in 2008.

Calderón is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, where he founded and heads the guitar program.

The Rhea Miller Concert Series is made possible by a generous gift from Rhea E. Miller, a long-time friend of SVSU. Her gift, administered by the Miller Trust for Music Education, provides the university with the opportunity to offer outstanding performances by nationally and internationally acclaimed musical artists at no cost to the audience.

Admission to the concert is free of charge, but seating is limited. For more information, contact the SVSU Department of Music at 989-964-4159. From Midland, dial 989-695-5325, ext. 4159.