“Since the passing of Andres Segovia the guitar world has needed an advocate… perhaps Michael Nicolella is that person.”
- The Washington Post
Composer Spotlight
MICHAEL NICOLELLA
Composer and Guitarist
Wed., May 13 @ 7:30pm
Jack Straw Productions
4261 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle map FREE
Composer and guitarist Michael Nicolella previews his upcoming Transport series concert which will include his own music and works of Steve Reich, Jacob ter Veldhuis, Leo Brouwer and a piece by Octavio Vazquez chosen from a call for scores; as well as discuss issues related to being a composer / performer in the 21st century.
Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America's most innovative classical guitar virtuosos. Referred to as “one of the contemporary guitar’s most gifted stars” by Classical Guitar magazine, 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 works for classical and electric guitar in solo, chamber and orchestral settings. As a performer and composer, Michael has received awards from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, 4Culture, Wisconsin Arts Board, Washington State Arts Commission, Seattle Arts Commission and was first prize winner of both the Portland and Northwest solo classical guitar competitions. In April 2009 he was a composer in residence with the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians at Columbus State University. In 2006-2007, Michael was composer in residence with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, which culminated in the 2007 premiere of Ten Years Passedfor electric guitar and orchestra. Other recent premiers include: Toccata and Fugue for solo classical guitar - premiered by Michael Partington and Guitar Concerto for classical guitar and orchestra - premiered by the Seattle Creative Orchestra with Nicolella as soloist, both at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. Michael is a graduate of Yale University, the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Sienna, Italy and Berklee College of Music. He currently resides in Seattle. more
Supporters
Jack Straw Productions gratefully acknowledges The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, 4Culture King County Lodging Tax Fund, Washington State Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, PONCHO, ArtsFund, Seattle Foundation, and individual contributors for their support of Jack Straw Artist Programs.