James Grace with Mexican Guitarist, Morgan Szymanski in Concert

James Grace with Mexican Guitarist, Morgan Szymanski in Concert
Saturday 17 March 18:00
A concert featuring two of the world's foremost classical guitarists, Mexican-born Morgan Szymanski, sharing the stage with British-born South African-based guitarist James Grace.
James Grace

One of South Africa's leading classical artists, Grace is also Head of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music. A graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, Grace became the first guitarist in the history of the college to receive the Tagore Gold Medal, an award presently annually to the most outstanding student.

Other accolades include a KANNA Award for Best Male Artist at the 2010 KKNK Festiva, 2011 KykNET Fiesta Award winner and two SAMA nominations for Best Instrumental and Best Popular Classical Albums. Grace founded his independent record label, Stringwise Records, in 2005 and is currently establishing the Stringwise Young Artists Trust, which aims to provide a platform for young artists to produce their own albums and study further overseas.

In addition to a solo recital programme which this year has taken him throughout South Africa, Europe and the UAE, Grace appears regularly as soloist with the Cape Philharmonic, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic, the Free-State Symphony and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras. A recent career highlight was a joint performance with Jonathon Crossley of Rodrigo’s Concierto Madrigal for two guitars with the JPO and Alessandro Crudele in 2012.

James has recently released his sixth solo studio album entitled 'Chilled'.

Morgan Szymanski

Described as ‘a player destined for future glories’ (Classical Guitar Magazine) Morgan Szymanski has been highlighted as ‘One to Watch’ by both Gramophone Magazine and the BBC Music Magazine. A featured artist on the cover of Classical Guitar Magazine, Morgan Szymanski was also selected as a finalist for the ‘Outstanding Young Artist Award’ by MIDEM Classique/IAMA.

Born in Mexico City in 1979, Morgan Szymanski started playing the guitar at the age of six. Early studies at the National Music School (Mexico) and the Edinburgh Music School led to a scholarship to study under Carlos Bonell and Gary Ryan at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, graduating in 2004 with first class honours. He immediately went on to become the first solo guitarist to be selected by Young Classical Artist Trust and was the first guitarist to be awarded a Junior Fellowship at the RCM, where he completed his Masters with distinction.

Morgan Szymanski plays on a guitar by the Chinese master guitar luthier Yulong Guo. He is a Live Music Now alumni, the scheme started by Lord Yehudi Menuhin to reach audiences that would otherwise have no access to live music. ´ Morgan is much and demand as a teacher and has given masterclasses at top conservatoires in the UK including the Royal College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music (Cardiff) and Trinity College of Music as well as conservatoires in China, Bermuda and Mexico.

The programme will include works by
Ferdinando Carulli (1770 - 1841),
Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909),
Manuel de Falla (1876 – 1946),
Julio Cesar Oliva (Mexico, b.1947),
Manuel M. Ponce (1882-1957),
Celso Machado (b. Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, 1953)
Paulo Bellinati (b. São Paulo b.1950)

Both James and Morgan's CDs will be
available for purchase at tonight's performance.

Ticket sales:

Saturday 17 March 18:00

Block A (Adult) - R160 Block B (Adult) - R140
Block A (Senior) - R140 Block B (Senior) - R120
Children/Students/Scholars pay R120

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