School of Music

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
7:30pm

ROLAND DYENS, GUITAR

Listen to Roland Dyens play "Fuoco" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0oIYloGr7s

Listen to Roland Dyens play "El Choclo" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZJwZYjh4bY

To attend this Artist Concert Series program, please contact the number below to purchase your tickets. Seating is general-admission style in Munson Chapel, an intimate concert hall located on the corner of Citrus and Alosta Avenue in Azusa on the main campus.

Tickets: $13 (Adults) /$7 (Seniors, ages 55+), for more information please call (800) 219-9920.

Roland Dyens shares the joy of his musical talent while performing, composing and teaching throughout the world. This tri-dimensional offering provides the basis for the phenomenal success of this musician and his ongoing evolution.

Today ...

Never falling short of a full event, his concerts unfold for his audience as a personal experience of emotional awakening. Deeply inspired in this arena of musical unity, audience members will often later use the impact of the artist’s virtuosity and creativity in their own perception of music and, more broadly, their lives as well. For those of Roland Dyens’ audiences who are unfamiliar with the contours and nuances of classical guitar performance, one often witnesses an inspirational discovery of the instrument and its musical potential.

Roland Dyens has a sensitive and colorful approach to the guitar – an unfailing open-mindedness which brings together all forms of music to each and every one of his programs. His stage presence, his improvised openings and unique relationship with the listeners, undeniably position him at the forefront of guitar performance.

For many decades, his music has been an integral part of the instrument’s repertoire, placing him at the heart of a select group of contemporary guitarist/composers who enjoy such a privileged position. Roland Dyens compositions and arrangements are widely performed and highly acclaimed throughout the world. They provide a new breath of life for the guitar as this player and composer never ceases to challenge the limitations of his instrument.

The growing number of participants and auditors in Maestro Dyens’ Masterclasses is surely due to the depth of his presentation which is rich in innovative themes. With a keen sense of quality and emotional strength, his natural ability to communicate with guitarists of younger generations transforms the formality of a Masterclass into a joyful encounter.

Roland Dyens teaches at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

Yesterday ...

Born on October 19, 1955, French interpreter, composer, arranger and improviser Roland Dyens began guitar studies at the age of nine. Four years later he became a student of Spanish Master guitarist Alberto Ponce and, in 1976, was awarded the Licence de Concert de l’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris.

While learning his instrument, Roland Dyens also studied composition with the renowned teacher, composer and orchestra director, Désiré Dondeyne, under whose guidance he was awarded the First Prize in Harmony, Counterpoint and Analysis.

Among the many distinguished awards obtained during the early years of his career, he received the Special Prize at The International Competition “Citta di Alessandria” and The Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles-Cros, both in honor of the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.

When he was 25 years old he became a Laureate of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation.

At the young age of 33, he was recognized as one of the 100 Best Living Guitarists in All Styles by the prominent French magazine “Guitarist”.

In September 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Chitarra d’Oro 2006 (Golden Guitar-2006) for his lifetime contributions to composition, by the Presidency of International Guitar Competition "Città di Alessandria” in Italy.

The Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) chose Roland Dyens to compose the Mandatory “set piece” for their 2007 International Guitar Competition.  This composition, titled Anyway, continues to receive enthusiastic world-wide reviews.

The Winnipeg Free Press, established in 1872, awarded “Five Stars” in their review of his recital in October 2007.  This was only the second time this daily newspaper has given this high praise.

In July, 2008 International Guitar Festival of Fiuggi, Italy recognized him with their Lifetime Achievement in Composition Award.

Tickets: $13 (adults) /$7 (seniors & APU Faculty/Staff), for more information please call (800) 219-9920.