Scottish-born classical guitarist David Russell, a favorite with both audiences and music critics around the world, will kick off this season’s Kilbourn Concert Series at the Eastman School of Music with a performance at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2.
Highly praised for his musicianship, artistry, and stage presence, Russell took up the guitar as a child, heading to the Royal Academy in London in his mid-teens. There, he studied with José Tomás, who introduced the young guitarist to Andrés Segovia. The legendary guitar master later wrote to Russell, “My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique.”
Russell has won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition, the José Ramírez Competition, and Spain’s prestigious Francisco Tárrega Competition. In 1997, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music, and in 2003 he received the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics. His 2005 CD, Aire Latino, won a Grammy Award for best instrumental soloist in classical music. His latest CD, Art of the Guitar, was released in March on the Telarc label and includes works by Grieg, Debussy, Albeniz, Villa-Lobos, and others.
With a repertoire that ranges from Bach and Scarlatti to Celtic melodies and Latin standards, Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto, Rome and other major cities. As part of his appearance in Rochester, he will be holding master classes at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Howard Hanson Hall in the Eastman School of Music and at 5 p.m. that same day in Ciminelli Lounge in the Eastman Student Living Center.
Tickets for Russell’s local appearance are $8 to $18, with a discount for UR ID holders. They can be purchased at the RPO Box Office, 108 East Avenue; by phone, (585) 454-2100; or online at esm.rochester.edu/concerts.
The Kilbourn Concert Series continues this winter and next spring, with the Musicians from Marlboro performing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24; cellist Pieter Wispelwey at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18; and pianist Ingrid Fliter at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. All concerts are in the Eastman School’s Kilbourn Hall.
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Calendar Listing:
Tuesday, Oct. 2
8 p.m.
Classical guitarist David Russell
Kilbourn Hall
26 Gibbs St.
Tickets $8 to $18 (discount with UR ID)