By Brian Hurlbut
The Arts Council of Big Sky (ACBS) is pleased to announce that the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet has been confirmed as the final performers of the three-day Big Sky Classical Music Festival, being held in Big Sky this summer from August 12-14. Admission to all of the festival’s events is free.
30 years young in 2010-11, the LAGQ is one of the most multifaceted groups in any genre, comprised of four uniquely accomplished musicians bringing a new energy to the concert stage with programs ranging from Bluegrass to Bach. They consistently play to sold-out houses worldwide. Their inventive, critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground.
Programs including Latin, African, Far East, Irish, Folk and American Classics transport listeners around the world in a single concert experience. Winner of a 2005 Grammy Award, their “Guitar Heroes” CD released on Telarc is a brilliant follow-up to their Grammy nominated “LAGQ-Latin.” “Spin” (Telarc, Spring 2006) continues their explorations of jazz and contemporary music. “LAGQ: BRAZIL” (2007), including collaborations with vocalist Luciana Souza, was released to rave reviews, and their newest recording of the Rodrigo “Concierto Andaluz” and Sergio Assad’s “Interchange”, written specifically for them, was released on Telarc in Spring 2010, and quickly climbed to top spot on the Billboard charts.
Friday night’s performance will feature the celebrated Ahn Trio, one of the most acclaimed trios in all of classical music. For Saturday night’s performance, the ACBS welcomes the New York City-based Cassatt String Quartet. Acclaimed as one of America’s outstanding ensembles, the Manhattan based Cassatt String Quartet has performed across the globe.
The free weekend festival is being presented by the ACBS with supporting sponsorship from Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and the Big Sky Resort Area District, as well as through a grant from the Montana Department of Commerce. The event is being held outdoors at the Center Stage venue in Town Center Park in Big Sky.
For more information on the Big Sky Classical Music Festival, or to find out how you can help, please visit bigskyarts.org or call (406) 995-2742.
