Andrew York - Featured Artist Video Series

Featured Artist Series

We have a Featured Artist video for you this week - Chinnawat Themkumkwun playing “Moontan”. Chinnawat’s video was filmed in Austria in a lovely location, and his playing is impeccable and captures the energy I intended with Moontan. The middle of the video features some wild effects to accentuate the middle section of the piece, so watch out if you get dizzy easily.

Moontan is a piece I wrote for nylon string guitar, but using techniques more prevalent on steel string guitars such as harmonic slaps. They are difficult to do well on nylon string, but Chinnawat makes all the idiomatic techniques come to life. We hope you enjoy Chinnawat Themkumkwun playing Moontan.

This week we feature again Mitsuko Kado on piano, playing a stunningly filmed and recorded new video of “Woven World”, from the suite “Woven Harmony”. Mitsuko has adapted many of my guitar pieces for piano, and this is the second time she has made a video of Woven World - and this second time is the pièce de résistance. Her addition of extra counterpoint near the end is so beautiful it brought me to tears. I hope you will also find the performance of my dear friend Mitsuko Kado moving as well.

This week we have a new piece, "Sail Off the Edge", that I composed for the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra. Jayson Martinez, the director of the ensemble, commissioned me last year to write a piece for the group, and the ancient idea that there was an 'edge' to the earth, where one could sail off into who knows what, inspired the themes of the composition - especially where it gets 'edgier' in the second half of the piece. This video captures the premiere performance of “Sail Off the Edge” on April 25, and the musicians captured the spirit of the piece so well. It's a wonderful connection to hear the music I envisioned come to life in the hands of Jayson and the NJGO. Thanks to all the fine members of the ensemble for their emotive performance, and for being willing to sing a little bit!

This week we have Pedro Caballero for our Featured Artist, playing “Cradle Song” from my collection “Kinderlight”. Pedro’s phrasing is sweet and clear and he expresses the subtle emotion so beautifully. Thanks Pedro, and we hope you enjoy starting your week with “Cradle Song”.

This week we have a very special Featured Artist, with another brand new video by the exquisite Japanese pianist Mitsuko Kado, playing “Silent Movie”. When writing “Silent Movie” for piano the theme spoke to me with its humor and a character that would have been completely appropriate as an accompaniment to an early silent movie. I can even imagine the captions. Mitsuko, as always, plays my music with such beauty and grace. Please enjoy my good friend Mitsuko Kado playing “Silent Movie”.

This week we have a delightful Featured Artist video for you. Thomas Baron is a guitar teacher who lives outside of Paris, and four of his students are playing my guitar quartet "Pop" a composition I wrote for my father, my first teacher. This video was filmed during the pandemic, each student playing his or her part at home, and the video was assembled from their four performances. I think, like me, you will find these young players charming and a joy to hear! Annie and I hope you enjoy starting your week with "Pop".

This week we have a very special Featured Artist, with a brand new video by the fabulous Japanese pianist Mitsuko Kado, playing "When Angels Sing", which I composed for her. Mitsuko is not only a virtuoso classical pianist but also a close personal friend, and I'm honored she has played so many of my piano pieces. The video production is also a work of art in its own right, with stunning production thanks to Kent Utagawa, Atsuo Fujita and Takao Kasahara. We will have more videos from Mitsuko in the future, but first, enjoy this beautiful video and performance of "When Angels Sing".

For our Featured Artist this week, we have Cody Noriega, one of the finest young guitarists in Southern California. Cody is playing “Sirocco”, an advanced and challenging piece and one of my major contributions to classical guitar repertoire. The title 'Sirocco' refers to a strong wind that blows from Morocco across the Mediterranean into southern Spain, even blowing sand across the water at times. Like the wind, and like the culture of southern Spain, Sirocco brings to mind Moorish influence and even themes from farther south in Africa, blended with a Spanish sensibility. Cody performs Sirocco with his usual mastery, it’s always a pleasure to hear him play.

This week we have a Featured Artist for you, Matthew Chaffin playing Snowflight at the Wright Brothers Monument on Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina. From 1900 to 1903 the Wright Brothers launched their gliders from the large sand dune behind Matthew, perfecting the glider controls which would later be used on the first powered flight nearby on December 17, 1903. Very cool to have Snowlight played where the Wright Brothers learned to fly! Thanks Matthew for playing Snowflight in a place steeped in such a world-changing event.

This week for our Featured Artist Series we once again call upon Brian Cross and Stephen Rogers as the Cross Rogers Guitar Duo. Here they are playing "Quadrivial Quandary", which is actually a solo guitar etude I wrote for Scott Tennant's "Pumping Nylon" book. Scott asked me to make a piece that is very hard to play, with each finger changing to a different string with each chord change. I composed what I considered a very beautiful and introspective jazz ballad. Brian and Stephen play with such deep sensitivity! They catch all the subtle changes in harmony with loving attention. Thanks to the Cross Rogers Guitar Duo for another masterful video!

This week we have a Featured Artist for you - Nick Ford playing “h”. which is the title of the first movement of the suite “The Equations of Beauty”. “h” (which stands for Planck’s constant) is a swirling and moody piece that is not easy to play, but Nick does a really fine job navigating the technical hurdles and unlocking the musicality within. Bravo, Nick!

A Featured Artist this week with Francísco Farías playing both parts of my arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. Excellent playing by Francisco, of one of my favorite pieces of all time, which has haunted me since childhood. Enjoy!

Our Featured Artist this week is Ratyński, playing a very personal and lovely rendition of ‘Sweet Life’. I like the artistic approach to the video too, with soulful drawings at the start. Thanks to Ratyński for such a heartfelt expression of Sweet Life.

This week we have a stellar Featured Artist for you - Gaia Gaibazzi, a trio playing my complex work ‘Transilience’ for guitar, flute and cello. The twist is, you’ll hear the cello part played on bass clarinet! It sounds mighty fine that way too. This is a spectacular performance of all three movements of Transilience. Thanks to Gaia Gaibazzi, and Annie and I hope you enjoy their performance.

For this week’s Featured Artist we have “Tribal Youngers”, commissioned in 2017 by my good friend Alfonso Montes in Stuttgart Germany for his ensemble “Guitarreando”. A very dynamic and rock oriented piece with a heavy groove, this performance of “Tribal Youngers” combines students from Stuttgart with the Los Angeles Youth Guitar Orchestra of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Another good friend, Felix Bullock, has the baton and is conducting the combined ensemble in Stuttgart.

This week we have a Featured Artist for you, Jonas Lefvert playing “Transitions” from my collection “Seven in Essence”. Though Jonas filmed this six years ago, Annie and I just found his video on YouTube and wanted to share his sweet interpretation with you. We hope this starts your week with a smile, and see you next Monday with another video.

We have a Featured Artist video for you this week, Andreas Lindae doing a marvelous job playing “Knowing” from my suite “Glimmerings”. Andreas’ performance is clean and clear, and he catches so many of the moments in the piece that are subtle and sometimes missed. Thanks to Andreas Lindae for a fine rendition of “Knowing”!

This week we bring back one of our favorite artists, Premek Hajek, playing my funky little piece “Josh’s Jam”. As always, Premek nails it, in an elegant, tasteful yet emotive way. Always a pleasure to hear, thanks once again to Premek Hajek!

This week we have a very special, beautiful and sad offering for our Featured Artist Series, my good friend Michael Chapdelaine playing “Home” on steel string guitar. Michael was a deep and profound musician, as his phrasing makes so sweetly clear in this performance. Michael passed away much too young in 2023, but his beautiful playing survives him in this video, and in the memories of his friends and fans. Please enjoy Michael playing “Home”.

This week we have a Featured Artist - Julia Mitchell playing “Squares Suspended” from the suite “Woven Harmony”. This suite was a commission that blends together the art of weaving and of guitar. Julia Mitchell does a beautiful job capturing the sweet arc of the melody in this first movement, “Squares Suspended”.

This week we have Featured Artist Mark Mazzatenta playing “Into Dark” from my suite “Three Dimensions”. I like Mark’s clear and spare phrasing, allowing the melodies to speak for themselves. This is one of my lesser known works, so a tip of the hat to Mark for including it in his repertoire.

For our Featured Artists this week we introduce Parallel Duo playing Sanzen-in, one of my more popular works for two guitars. I wrote Sanzen-in after I first visited this thousand year old temple in Kyoto, Japan, inspired by its peacefulness and ancient beauty. Thanks to Parallel Duo for a tasteful and compelling performance in their video.

This week we have Robert Guerrero as our Featured Artist, playing my piece “Alight” from the collection “4 in A in 4”. A charming homespun video, Robert catches the spirit of this very easy piece and brings it to life.

For our Featured Artist this week we have Karina Bazdudnaya playing “Why”, another piece from my collection “Kinderlight”. Beautifully played, the pensive quality of this little piece is mirrored by the austerity of the landscape. The setting and the playing make a lovely combination for Karina’s video.

This week's' “Featured Artist” release showcases is my good friend Ken Gorman, playing my piece “Cradle Song”. Ken is a very fine guitarist and I’m pleased to hear him play this little lullaby that is a tip of the hat to Erik Satie’s “Gymnopedie No. 1”. Thanks Ken for your sweet interpretation and impeccable playing.

This week we have for our “Featured Artists” Brian Cross and Stephen Rogers as the “Cross Rogers Guitar Duo” playing my very traditional composition “A Minor Duet”. Written as a lark actually, and slightly tongue and cheek, I’ve been surprised how many people respond so favorably to this work. Brian and Stephen offer an excellent rendition, a true parlor performance in front of a beautiful fireplace. Enjoy!

For our Featured Artist series, we are pleased to present Ensemble de Guitares de Nice with a wonderful performance of “Bantu”. Their playing is stellar and needs no description. Enjoy this beautiful and uplifting video.

For this week’s Featured Artist we have Blaise Laflamme, an Inner Circle Den member, with an impeccably played and beautifully phrased performance of my piece “Autumn Streets”. I can’t think of a better way to usher in the season than hearing this soulful interpretation by Blaise. Listen, watch and enjoy, and not necessarily in that order!

For this week’s Featured Artist we are proud to present James Erickson playing “Knowing” from my suite “Glimmerings”. James’ interpretation is thoughtful and multi-faceted, and I’m so pleased he catches all the subtle character shifts in the phrases. Thank you James!

Once again we feature Premek Hajek for our Featured Artist series, this time with his new video of my piece “Sweet Life”. Premek captures all the nuance and depth of interpretation that I could wish for in a performance. Thanks Premek, and beautiful playing.

For this week’s Featured Artist we are happy to showcase Ines Thomé playing my etude “Didactic Doodle”, a virtuostic study included in Scott Tennant’s iconic “Pumping Nylon” book. I’m very interested and satisfied to hear Ines Thomé play this piece, since I’ve never recorded it myself! Thanks to Ines for this beautiful rendition of “Didactic Doodle”.

For this week’s featured artist we have the fantastic ensemble “Guitar Art Quartet” playing my iconic quartet “Lotus Eaters”. A delightful video guaranteed to lighten your day. Enjoy!

Andecy - This week our Featured Artists are a father and son team, my good friend John Mahoney on guitar and his son Johnny on soprano sax. They made a haunting arrangement of my old piece “Andecy”, and it transports me to hear it transformed into such a gorgeous soundscape. This was just performed live in Chico, CA at a tribute concert for my music, and I was proud to be there and hear their performance live. Thank you John and Johnny!

For our Featured Artist series we have an excellent new video of my quartet “Pacific Coast Highway” performed by the SFCM Youth Guitar Orchestra - Virtual Guitar Orchestra and conducted by Scott Cmiel. Both the production value of the video and the performance by the students are golden! Big congratulations to Scott Cmiel and the students of SFCM Youth Guitar Orchestra. Enjoy this virtual trip down the California coast with the many lovely images of this iconic highway.

Our Featured Artist for this week is a video from fifteen years ago, a marimba duo from Japan called Acomarimba. They perform a compelling version of my duet “Sanzen-in”. I find marimba suits this piece very well indeed, and these two artists bring it alive!

Our Featured Artist for this week is Peter Black, playing my very old ragtime piece “Sunshine Rag”. I think I wrote this when I was nineteen or twenty years old, and it’s delightful to hear Peter capture the spirit of the style and animate long-ago memories for me. Well done, Peter!

This week we have Angela Mair as our Featured Artist selection, with a very compelling version of my piece "Letting Go". I particularly like the way she owns and extends the vocal section - wait for it! Her journey through the form of this piece is an adventure and an exciting ride - well done!

For this week’s Featured Artist selection, we are pleased to introduce the fine Japanese pianist and my good friend Mitsuko Kado playing “Woven World” from my suite “Woven Harmony”. I’ve composed several works for Mitsuko in the past, and we have enjoyed touring together in Japan. But in this video, she is playing her arrangement of my guitar piece “Woven World”. Such a beautiful rendition on piano! Here is also a link to Mitsuko's youtube channel - Mitsuko Kado

For this week's Featured Artist selection, we are please to introduce Edith Lehner and Norbert Neunzling playing my easy little duet “The Orchard”. Even though it is a simple piece, they play it with loving attention and bring it to life with graceful and emotive phrasing.

For this week’s Featured Artist we have Feng Zhitao from Japan playing my piece "Snowflight". Majestic Mt. Fuji in the background lends a very compelling and zen-like setting to this video. Relax and enjoy Feng Zhitao playing Snowflight at the foot of Fujiyama.

We have another Featured Artist offering this week - and since it is one week before Christmas, we have chosen the delightful performance of the entire Nutcracker suite by the BARRUECO STUDIO ENSEMBLE from Peabody Conservatory, directed by Manuel Barrueco. This impeccable performance of my arrangement of the Nutcracker for four guitars was part of Baltimore Classical Guitar Society’s “Holiday Celebration” concert. Kudos and thanks to Manuel and all the guitarists, and guest percussionist! And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

This week’s Featured Artist introduces Alec O’Leary playing “Another Dream”, a new composition that I dedicated to him. Alec O'Leary is a very fine Irish luthier and player, and his lovely video of Another Dream captures his intent to put the listener in a magical space with his evocative and heartfelt interpretation of this piece. Very nicely done Alec, and thank you!

For this week’s Featured Artist we have the fine guitarist Michael Gullo playing my iconic piece "Home". Filmed in Santa Monica at Guitar Salon International, Michael plays with a sweet sensibility and and is also quite the elegant dresser. A lovely video, I hope you enjoy experiencing Michael Gullo's tasteful interpretation of "Home".

This week’s Featured Artist is the Trío Babel performing the 1st movement of "Transilience" in Valencia Spain. A trio of superlative musicians, Trío Babel are Aisha Page, flute, Raúl Pinillos, cello, and Marisa Gómez, guitar. I’m delighted to hear one of my works for other instruments being played so beautifully. Thanks to Trío Babel for their wonderful performance.

For this week’s Featured Artist selection it is my pleasure to spotlight legends Scott Tennant and Bill Kanengiser, playing my duet Sanzen-in. In addition to being good friends and colleagues, Bill, Scott and I, along with John Dearman, were also members of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet together for sixteen years. Here are Bill and Scott playing Sanzen-in at the Portland Classic Guitar Series in 2014. About the duet, Sanzen-in is the name of a thousand year old temple in Kyoto, Japan. After visiting this temple and gardens that have been lovingly tended for more than a millenium, I was moved to compose this piece.

Archimedes - for this week's Featured Artist series we highlight the wonderful Olson/DeCari Duo singing my composition “Archimedes”. John and Gioia commissioned me to write a piece that was science-based for a project they had been working on for several years, and what better subject for the piece than my hero, the great Greek mathematician Archimedes. Gioia and John came up with the brilliant video concept based on the lyrics I wrote for the piece. This is an instant classic!

In this week's Featured Artist video, we have the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in the premiere of my composition "By Chants", with the incomparable Chuck Hulihan conducting. Commissioned by Grand Canyon Guitar Society, Tucson Guitar Society, Arizona State University and Glendale Community College Guitar Programs, "By Chants" is really a concerto for four guitars, with a guitar orchestra in four parts accompanying the quartet. Since the commission came from a consortium in Arizona, I interwove a Havasupai theme into the composition.

In this week's Featured Artist video, we have the exceptional Cuarteto de México playing my early quartet composition "Quiccan." Their virtuosity, precision and musicality speaks for itself. I'm very excited to share Cuartet de México's brilliant rendition of this difficult piece.

For this week’s Featured Artist video, here is a delightful video of Cecilia Siqueira playing “Sunburst” in 2008 in Minsk, Belarus. This piece has been recorded by many guitarists, but I particularly liked the joy that Cecilia brings to this performance.

This week's featured Artist is Tavi Jinariu, playing my compostion "Lament" on a 1947 Hauser I guitar. I appreciate Tavi's clarity of expression and the way he beautifully captures the emotional spirit of each phrase. Bravo Tavi!

This week's featured Artist is Joe Pecoraro. Joe has been a teacher at University of North Carolina School of the Arts in North Carolina for many years, and his student Billie Feather commissioned me to write a piece for Joe in gratitude for his mentorship during her studies with him at UNCSA. The composition I wrote for them is called “Forgotten Light,” and Joe does a sensitive and masterful rendition of this work.

This week's Featured Artist is Guitar Duo Botti (Han Eun and Heo Yulim), playing my duet “Evening Dance.” I composed this work in 1990 for Christopher Parkening and David Brandon as a continuous set of variations on the opening theme. It is delightful to hear this sensitive rendition performed by the Guitar Duo Botti.

Vera Danilina - This week's Featured Artist is the superb guitarist Vera Danilina playing "Just How Funky Are You." I wrote this piece eleven years ago, and it is very difficult and super funky. In locrian mode, I wrote it not only as a technical challenge to classical guitarists, but even more of a stylistic challenge, as this work requires a certain authenticity and stylistic flexibility to handle the funkiness. Vera Danilina shines on all counts, and plays the hell out of it. Brava!

Premek Hajek playing "Cradle Song" from my collection "Kinderlight" - Premek has exceptionally sensitive phrasing, and I love his subtle interpretation of Cradle Song. His playing with no nails gives his tone a refreshing and warm and earthy quality.

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