Guitar Guild Students To Sponsor Concert by Internationally Acclaimed Artist
JONESBORO – An internationally acclaimed guitarist will perform in concert at Arkansas State University on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.
Rovshan Mamedkuliev is the winner of the 2012 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition.
He will be performing at the invitation of the A-State Guitar Guild, a registered student organization, which is sponsoring his appearance with support from the Department of Music and the Student Government Association. Admission is free, and the public is invited.
“The student members of the Guitar Guild have raised all of the funds necessary to put on this event,” explained Dr. Tim Crist, professor of music and faculty sponsor of the Guitar Guild. “I am very proud of them, as it was quite a sacrifice they have made to bring this world-class artist to A-State for our community to enjoy.”
Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Mamedkuliev grew up in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. He began guitar lessons at the age of 11, and seven years later was accepted into the prestigious Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire. After graduating with honors, he was invited to join the faculty upon his graduation.
In 2006, he received a special grant from Russian President Vladimir Putin for high achievements in the arts. He has performed in major cities in five countries, including a Carnegie Hall concert in 2012.
As a competitor, Mamedkuliev has been a laureate of more than 23 competitions, earning the praise of judges and audiences. Notably, he has won first prizes and the special interpretive awards in three competitions based on performances of obligatory works of particular composers: the 41st International Guitar Competition "Francisco Tárrega” (Spain), the 10th International Guitar Competition "Hommage à Leo Brouwer” (France), and the1st International Guitar Competition "Heitor Villa-Lobos” (Spain).
Being an advocate of new music, he has premiered many new works for guitar including the Concerto No. 3 "Antony” for guitar and orchestra composed by Philippe Lemaigre and the Concerto "Famalicao” by Elena Lebedeva for guitar with chamber orchestra.
As a result of his most recent success, Mamedkuliev is touring more than 50 North American cities in the 2013-2014 season, and he has just recorded a new CD with the Naxos label.
For additional details, interested individuals may call the Department of Music at (870) 972-2094.
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