‘FRESH AND EXCITING’
Classical guitarist enjoys getting ‘outside of the norm’
Jason Vieaux is enjoying a break from tour. It’s not often that he gets one that is more than a week. “I’m hanging with the wife and kids,” he says. “I never really get this time with them, because I’m always gone performing shows. It’s been a nice break from all of the travel. I feel sort of normal right now at home.”
Vieaux is known for his classical guitar music. He picked up a Grammy Award in 2015 for best classical instrumental solo for the album “Play.” He’s got a new album out called “Dance.”
Although classical guitar is what he’s known for, Vieaux likes to keep his repertoire versatile.
The musician will perform different programs in four shows in New Mexico as part of the Music From Angel Fire series. His first performance is on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Angel Fire.
He will be performing Boccherini’s Quintet No. 4 in D Major for guitar and strings, G.448 “Fandango” with violinists Guillermo Figueroa and Cathy Meng-Robinson; violist Toby Appel; and cellist Keith Robinson on a program entitled “Spanish Flair.”
Then on Friday, Aug. 23, Vieaux joins forces with flutist Tara Helen O’Connor for Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango” in Angel Fire. Works by Richard Danielpour and Robert Schumann complete this program, “Fight for Freedom.”
On Saturday, Aug. 24, he will perform Aaron J. Kernis’ “100 Greatest Dance Hits” with violinists Ida Kavafian and
Guillermo Figueroa, violist Steven Tenenbom and cellist Keith Robinson. This program, “Greatest Hits,” includes songs by Robert and Clara Schumann, as well as songs and a piano quintet by Schubert.
And on Sunday, Aug. 25, he will be in Raton with a solo performance of Pat Metheny’s “Always and Forever” and J. S. Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001.
“Doing all the different types of shows keeps it fresh and exciting for me,” he says. “I’m a chamber musician for the most part. To be able to get outside of the norm and play something different is great for me. I get to tackle it in my own way, which makes it exciting. I collaborate with people that I’ve looked up to for a long time. I create new relationships with the ones I’m getting to know. I dreamed of having a career like this, and it’s happened through a lot of hard work. Being able to take this type of music to smaller communities is what is great about the Music From Angel Fire” series. It’s an amazing way to get the community involved.”