Rafael Elizondo and Eva Chavez at the Barns of Rose Hill

As part of its Spring Classical Music Series, the Barns of Rose Hill presents classical guitarist Rafael Elizondo and concert pianist Eva Chavez in concert June 19. Distinguished for their magnetism and energy, Rafael and Eva will take you on a musical journey of brilliance and strong emotions, with a carefully selected program of pieces for solo instrument and duet.

Award-winning classical guitarist Rafael Elizondo is recognized as an important figure in Mexico’s musical scene. With an extensive repertoire as a soloist and chamber musician, he has developed an active career in performance. Rafael is also a leading and inspiring teacher who travels to major universities and guitar festivals throughout the U.S. and Mexico to lead workshops and master classes.

Award-winning pianist Eva Chavez began performing at an early age and has extensive experience performing in the U.S. and Mexico for orchestras and in music festivals. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, and since 2008 she has also been a leading piano teacher and accompanist for the most important university and art institutions of Baja California. Eva is presently teaching at the State Center for the Arts (CEART) in the cities of Mexicali and Tecate.

The first pieces of the concert program will be for solo guitar and will provide a sample of Italian composers, followed by the folklore of Latin American composers. The solo piano part of the program will feature selections of the beautiful and picturesque music of Mexican composer Manuel M. Ponce and Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz. A piano and guitar duet will finish the program by playing the Grande Sonata Brillante by Anton Diabelli and the refined and energetic Fandango by Luigi Boccherini. As a special treat, the musicians will also include the new work for piano and guitar called Angelesca by Baja Californian composer Felix Mora Garcia, who composed the piece to commemorate of the discovery of the Americas.

This concert is the final event of the 2015 Spring Classical Music Series.

On Saturday, June 20, Elizondo will lead a classical guitar workshop that focuses on developing a confident and refined technique on the guitar. The workshop will start by identifying what the students need to develop full potential in their interpretations and will subsequently impart practical methods on how to achieve this goal. Elizondo will also make recommendations to students on how to organize their practice sessions and repertoires so that they may define a vision and goals for the future.

The workshop is recommended for classical guitarists or students of intermediate or advanced levels.

Having received his first music lessons with members of his own family, Elizondo later attended the University at the Escuela Nacional de Musica, UNAM, in Mexico City, where he studied with Juan Carlos Laguna, and later with Maestro Giulio Tampalini in Italy. He has been a soloist with the Baja California Orchestra and has participated in many festivals, including live broadcasts and recordings for radio and television. Appreciated for his absolutely clear and well-defined technique, Rafael is frequently asked to record videos and recordings for high-profile guitar stores and master luthiers.

Learn more about the concert at Barns of Rose Hill: http://barnsofrosehill.org/event/katie-mahan/

Watch a video of Rafael and Eva performing in duet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXk3o4VN0QI

Watch Rafael perform solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=56&v=A4Xp4g8V3lc