UTSA presents international classical guitarist Jason Vieaux Oct. 10 at Main Campus

Guitarist Jason Vieaux

By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Oct. 4, 2011) -- The UTSA Department of Music will present a performance by internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Jason Vieaux at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10 in the Arts Building Recital Hall on the UTSA Main Campus.

Vieaux began studying guitar at age 8 in Buffalo and continued his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. At age 19, he recorded his first CD and two years later released his highly successful "Laureate Series Guitar Recital" on the Naxos label.

Noted for his engaging virtuosic live performances and imaginative programming, Vieaux has been featured at top venues around the world, performing as a solo artist and with chamber orchestras.

Recent highlights include concerts at the Lincoln Center in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and with the Auckland Philharmonia of New Zealand, Boston Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Florida Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony and Charlotte Symphony.

A concert favorite at international music festivals, Vieaux has established connections with his audiences and received return invitations to perform at music festivals in Toronto, Kalamazoo, Greenville and Chataqua.

Vieaux has recorded 10 CDs and has more to come under his multi-record deal with Azica Records. In 2003, His recording "Sevilla: The Music of Isaac Albeniz"was rated one of the "Top 10 Classical CDs of the Year" by the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His CD "Bach: Works for Lute, Vol. 1" ranked No. 13 in the Billboard Classical Chart and received rave reviews by Gramophone magazine and Absolute Sound magazine.

In 2005, renowned American jazz guitarist Pat Metheny noted, "I am flattered to be included in Jason's musical world," following the release of his compilation CD "Images of Metheny."

Vieaux is the youngest first prizewinner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. He took top honors at the Naumberg International Guitar Competiton. In 1995, Vieaux was recognized as an Artistic Ambassador of the United States to Southeast Asia. In 1998, the Cleveland Institute of Music awarded him with their Alumni Achievement Award.

Vieaux's music and live performances have been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition." The New York Times praised him as one of the "youngest stars of the guitar world", and Absolute Soundmagazine named him "one of the leading guitarists of his generation."

Currently, Vieaux serves as department head in the Cleveland Institute of Music guitar department and is the youngest department head to serve at a prestigious conservatory.

For the UTSA concert, general admission is $20; $10 for seniors, military and students with UTSACard. Purchase tickets at the UTSA Department of Music website.