Matthew McAllister

Photographs from the Bert Kwakkel Jubilee Concert including live...

agnewmcallisterduo — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:17:00 -0500

Photographs from the Bert Kwakkel Jubilee Concert including live concert shots, the review from the evening and some candid shots throughout the wonderful day.

Here is a wonderful video from the Bert Kwakkel Jubilee Concert....

agnewmcallisterduo — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:13:40 -0500

Here is a wonderful video from the Bert Kwakkel Jubilee Concert. This was a gathering of guitarists, luthiers, fans, friends and supporters of Bert who is now in his 40th year of building.

Each guitarist performed on his 500th Diamond Jubilee Guitar, a beautiful instrument representing the history and development of his excellent making through the years.

This video has featured as an episode in the Gitaarsalon’s regular spot on the Brava.NL TV station in The Netherlands.

Here is an excerpt from my performance of Rodrigo’s...

agnewmcallisterduo — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:50:00 -0500

Here is an excerpt from my performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra and conductor Michael Downes.

The concert took place in St Andrew’s Kirk in Helensburgh on Sunday 4th December 2011.

There are lots of videos from live concerts, recording sessions, tours and interviews available online at my Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/nsrmcallister

Some photographs from my rehearsal and performance of the...

agnewmcallisterduo — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:18:00 -0500

Some photographs from my rehearsal and performance of the Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo with the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra and conductor Michael Downes.

This concert was postponed from late November 2010 when the snowfall in Scotland was so severe that the Orchestra were unable to travel through from St Andrews to Helensburgh to play.

This year the snow has just arrived but thankfully one day after the concert, so the Orchestra and audience made it to St Andrew’s Kirk in Helensburgh to hear a lovely programme of Kurt Weill, Beethoven and Rodrigo.

Thanks to everyone who attended and performed in the concert it was a treat to perform the Rodrigo again!

Here are some images from the 2011 Guitar Gems Festival in...

agnewmcallisterduo — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:38:00 -0500

Old City of Jerusalem

The Old City Market

In Flight!

The Beach at Netanya

Views from the Old City

Matthew and Roland on a Jury Break!

Soloists leaving the Amphitheatre

Aisling and Sergei Matokhin

Matthew with Vera Danilina and Roland

Roland Dyens in Concert

Here are some images from the 2011 Guitar Gems Festival in Netanya, Israel. Aisling Agnew and I gave the Opening Night Concert and then adjudicated on the various competitions that took place during the course of the festival.

The festival has a very vibrant and friendly atmosphere and is open to everyone, inviting musicians and participants from all over the world. It makes a point of having no connection with the politics of the region and has an emphasis in the very positive connections made by making music.

Aisling and I arrived early and spent some time exploring Jerusalem and the Old City, this is reflected in some of the images above.

Also performing at the festival and at the head of the jury was the French guitarist and composer Roland Dyens. It was fascinating to meet Roland to hear his beautiful concert. In the very near future Aisling and I will be looking at a sonata he has very recently written for flute and guitar.

Guitar Gems had a huge entry for the competitions with players travelling from England, Russia, Germany, Tartarstan, Kazakhstan, Israel, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Belarus to compete.

Two wonderful performances over two rounds including repertoire by Giuliani and Paganini won Vera Danilina first prize in the Youth Competition. Vera is a name to look out for, very expressive and incredibly talented at just 12 years old!

Very confident, expressive and experienced playing over two rounds by Artyom Dervoed won him first prize in the Adult Competition.

Special mention must be made of Pavel Kukhta who showed moments of brilliance during his first round! Pavel placed second overall.

On the last night of the festival Aisling joined Russian guitarist Sergei Matokhin and the local Orchestra under conductor Ronen Nisan to perform Piazzolla’s double concerto in the stunning setting of Netanya’s Amphitheatre.

Below you can see a video from the concert including a comedy introduction to some Scottish Lute Pieces!

Whilst introducing some Scottish Lute pieces to the very...

agnewmcallisterduo — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:07:00 -0500

Whilst introducing some Scottish Lute pieces to the very enthusiastic audience at the Guitar Gems Festival the chat almost descends into a stand up comedy routine!!

Thanks to guitarist and composer David Davara who filmed this concert for the festival.

“Unusual for early October, the weather was very hot with...

agnewmcallisterduo — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:58:00 -0400

“Unusual for early October, the weather was very hot with daytime temperatures well into the mid 20s and very warm nights. On such an evening many turned out to see the first concert of the season given by Matthew McAllister. We have had performers from all over the world come to play for the club, but this is probably the first time we have a Scot come to play. Matthew travelled down from Glasgow to play for us.

Matthew’s easy going and friendly manner really brought the audience into his music. The first half of the programme was devoted to Baroque music which ranged from Scottish lute music to J.S Bach (a cello suite) and included some Weiss and a lament written by Neil Gow. All of the music was played with great sensitivity and covered a wide dynamic range so that even the guitar whispers of ppp could be heard at the back of the hall. However, conversely, Matthew with his Bert Kwakkel guitar, was capable of producing some very powerful sounds when required.

The second half covered more modern music and included Brouwer’s Suite no.2 which he wrote while still a teenager. This was followed by a most poignant rendition of Peter Maxwell Davies’ Farewell to Stromness with some wonderful ‘Scottish snaps’. We heard a very sensitive rendition of Anon’s Romanza which although played by many aspiring guitarists, never has the feeling that Matthew managed to project. More challenging pieces of Julia Florida by Barrios and Asturias by Albeniz completed the formal part of the programme.

Very enthusiastic applause was rewarded with Matthew showing his versatility by playing US jazz guitarist Ralph Turners version of Always on your Side. This concluded a most enjoyable start to the season.”

Terry Woodgate (Chairman West Sussex Guitar Club)

A Video Blog from Matthew’s performance at the 7th...

agnewmcallisterduo — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:06:12 -0400

A Video Blog from Matthew’s performance at the 7th International Guitar Festival of Nendaz, Switzerland. The short film documents the concert given on July 29th by Matthew in the Bleusy Chappelle.

Classical Guitar Retreat is a unique course set on a beautiful...

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:11:00 -0400

Classical Guitar Retreat is a unique course set on a beautiful Scottish Island with some of the very best performers and educators working to guide, educate and inspire students of the Classical Guitar!

http://www.cgretreat.com

During the video you can hear extracts from the concerts, workshops and lectures performed by the various CGR staff.

Front Cover!

agnewmcallisterduo — Sun, 01 May 2011 21:04:00 -0400

The Agnew McAllister Duo are featured on the cover of the May 2011 edition of Classical Guitar Magazine.

Inside there is an in depth interview with Aisling & Matthew conducted by Features Editor Guy Traviss which focuses on their Tenth Anniversary Year.

Buy a copy here: www.classicalguitarmagazine.com

Dublin Concert

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:35:00 -0400

The Agnew McAllister Duo are giving a concert in Dublin on Thursday 7th April. Tickets are €12/8

To book tickets and get more information call 014939462 (inside Ireland) from UK dial 00 353 14939462.

Matthew’s latest solo album Bach & Brouwer has been recently...

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:41:00 -0500

Matthew’s latest solo album Bach & Brouwer has been recently released on Natural Studio Records.

“This recording is a pairing of two works by composers whose styles would appear at first glance to be in sharp contrast. Despite two centuries separating their composition, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No.1 ( BWV 1007) and Leo Brouwer’s Suite No.2 share distinct similarities.” Matthew McAllister

Watch a short film documenting the making of Bach & Brouwer. The film contains behind the scenes recording footage on location in the Cathedral of the Isles and an interview about the recording process and the conceptbehind the album.

You can listen to clips, have a look at the beautiful artwork and order a copy of Bach & Brouwer by clicking the link below.

Natural Studio Records Bach & Brouwer

“I hope you are inspired to add this recording to your collection. I wanted to offer a different style of recording to audiences and a recording which contrasts the majority of releases. Bach & Brouwer is an album which forms a larger musical and expressive gesture which I hope encourages the listener to delve deeper into the music.” Matthew McAllister

Ryan Fark on Bach & Brouwer

agnewmcallisterduo — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

“The classically-minded listener is in for a real treat with Matthew McAllister’sBach & Brouwer, which cleverly juxtaposes the very well-known J.S. Bach Suite No. 1 with a lesser-known work, Suite No. 2 by Leo Brouwer (b. 1939). The works, though separated by centuries, share interesting similarities in structure and harmony, and seem an absolutely natural pairing.

The same musical sensitivity which likely led McAllister to couple the Suites is equally present in his playing. For example, it is easy to tell that McAllister truly savors Bach’s slow Sarabande — here, as throughout the entire work, he pays careful attention not only to the notes and ornaments, but also the space in between: a consideration that is so vital to an effective and affecting performance of Baroque music, but so often forgotten.

The somewhat lighter Brouwer Suite is delightfully and deftly performed, while McAllister’s final selection, Brouwer’s “Canción de Cuna,” is a dynamic and affecting capstone to the album.”

Ryan Fark

A short film documenting the Agnew McAllister Duo Malaysia Tour...

agnewmcallisterduo — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:54:00 -0500

A short film documenting the Agnew McAllister Duo Malaysia Tour in late 2010.

2010 Concert Archive

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:20:00 -0500

Saturday 13th March
Solo Recital
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: TBC
Venue: TBC
Passau
Germany

Sunday 9th May
Solo Recital
Live Radio Broadcast
Time: 10am
Tickets: free
Concertgebouw
Amsterdam
Holland

Friday 14th May
Solo Recital
Twents Guitar Festival
Time: 12:30pm
Tickets: 10 Euros
Venue: Concordia Theater
Enschede
The Netherlands

Wednesday 26th May
Live Music Now!
Time: 7:30pm
Tickets: tbc
National Theatre
Abu Dhabi
Wednesday 1st September
Frevo Quartet
Time: 1:15pm
Tickets: Free
Venue: St Martin Within Ludgate
40 Ludgate Hill
London
England

Saturday 4th September
Frevo Quartet
Time: 12noon
Tickets: Free
Venue: St Mary’s
Church Street
Slough
England

Tuesday 7th September
Frevo Quartet
Time: 1:15pm
Tickets: Free
Venue: St Bride’s
Fleet Street
London
England

Saturday 25th September
Agnew McAllister Duo
Concerto Concert
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Yamaha Festival Hall
Kelana Jaya. PJ
Malaysia

Saturday 26th September
Agnew McAllister Duo
Concerto Concert
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Yamaha Festival Hall
Kelana Jaya. PJ
Malaysia

Monday 27th September
Agnew McAllister Duo
Chamber-Workshop
Time: 6pm
Perak Society of Performing Arts
Ipoh
Malaysia

Tuesday 28th September
Agnew McAllister Duo
Time: 8pm
Taman Budaya
Ipoh
(Jalan Cadwell, Off Jalan Raja Di Hilir)
Malaysia

Saturday 2nd October
Agnew McAllister Duo
Chamber-Workshop
Time: 9am -1pm
Venue: SL Gift Music Centre
Tmn Setia Indah
Johor Bahru
Malaysia

Sunday 3rd October
Agnew McAllister Duo
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Foon Yew
High School Auditorioum
Johor Bahru
Malaysia

Sunday 21st November
Matthew McAllister
Solo Recital
Time: 11:30am
Venue: The Old Church Etten
Etten
Gelderland
The Netherlands

Thursday 25th November
Matthew McAllister
Concierto de Aranjuez
St Andrews Chamber Orchestra
Time: 8pm
Venue: Younger Hall
St Andrews
Scotland

Sunday 28th November
Matthew McAllister
Concierto de Aranjuez
St Andrews Chamber Orchestra
Time 7pm
Venue: West Kirk of Helensburgh
Helensburgh
Scotland

Monday 6th December
Agnew / McAllister Duo
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: St Brides
Fleet Street
London

Matthew McAllister performing Julia Florida by Barrios live at...

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 07:03:00 -0400

Matthew McAllister performing Julia Florida by Barrios live at the Gitaar Salon in Enkhuizen.

Matthew McAllister performing the Fantasia by David Kellner,...

agnewmcallisterduo — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 07:05:00 -0400

Matthew McAllister performing the Fantasia by David Kellner, live at the Gitaar Salon in Enkhuizen. The Ten String Guitar is made by Scottish Luthier Colin Morison.

David Kellner (1670 - 1748) was a German composer of the baroque period and a contemporary of Bach.

As well as compositions for the lute which are today highly regarded, he wrote on the theory of music, and particularly on writing for equal temperament.

Gelders Gitaristen Podium

agnewmcallisterduo — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:44:00 -0400

Matthew will give the opening concert in the new season of The Gelders Gitaristen Podium in The Netherlands.

The concert will take place on Sunday the 21st of November at 11:30am.

The Gelders Gitaristen Podium organises 4 concerts every season, the venue is the beautiful Old Etten Church situated in the village of Etten – Gelderland.

The Old Etten Church has a very special acoustic which suits Classical Guitarperfectly and offers a magical atmosphere for intimate concerts.

Address: Oude Kerkstraat 2a, 7075 AB Etten (Gld) Etten.
Etten is around 1hour & 40 minutes by car from Amsterdam.

Tickets: €18 / 12 (Children supervised under 12 go free!)

For more information on The Gelders Gitaristen Podium please follow the link below.

www.gitaristenpodium.nl

Recital in Italy

agnewmcallisterduo — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:46:00 -0400

Matthew McAllister will be performing a solo recital at the 6th Festival Internazionale Chitarristico which is taking place in Campobpasso, Italy from the 26th to the 31st of October.

Matthew’s recital will take place on Thursday 28th October at 8pm in theAuditorium Biblioteca P.Albino, via D’Amato – Campobpasso.

The programme will include suites from Matthew’s latest recording entitledBach & Brouwer released on the Natural Studio Records label alongside music from the Scottish Renaissance and Contemporary Americana by Ralph Towner.

Matthew will also be conducting masterclasses during the festival.

For more information on the festival, to book tickets for the concerts or masterclasses please visit the website of the festival.

Organ & Guitar

agnewmcallisterduo — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:38:00 -0400

Matthew is joining forces with City Organist Stuart Muir and performing a Lunchtime Recital of music for Guitar & Organ in the Caird Hall, Dundee.

Stuart Muir with Matthew McAllister – Caird Hall – Sept 16th -1pm

Lunchtime concert on the Caird Hall Organ

Programme to include music by Bach, Albinoni, Vivaldi & Handel.

Concert will last 50 minutes – so you can squeeze them into your lunch hour!
There is an opportunity to meet the organist & guitarist in the cafe-bar following the concert.

Tickets £3.25
The Caird Hall
City Square
Dundee
DD1 3BB
Tel: Administration/Fax: (01382) 434451
email: cairdhall@dundeecity.gov.uk

Dundee City Box Office
Tel:(01382) 434940