Renowned guitarist to perform with ESO

Jason Vieaux, a nationally renowned guitar virtuoso, will perform in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Firebird" concert in early April.

Vieaux, a young sensation on the classical guitar circuit, will play perhaps the most popular guitar concerto in symphonic repertoire, Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez." Also on the program are Stravinsky's Suite from "The Firebird" and Beethoven's masterful Symphony No. 8.

"This is truly a wonderful start to spring at the ESO," music director Robert Hanson said. "Jason (Vieaux) is at the top of his game; Beethoven's Eighth Symphony is a delight to perform and hear; and Stravinsky's Suite from 'The Firebird' may be one of the most grand and influential works of the 20th century. It's a 'perfect storm' of audience favorites."

Concert tickets start at $15 and range to $63 for best available seating. Concert times are 8 p.m. April 4 at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg, and 8 p.m. April 5 and 3:30 p.m. April 6 at the Hemmens Theatre in downtown Elgin.

For tickets or information call the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or visit www.ElginSymphony.org.

Groups of 10 or more can purchase discounted tickets for their party. Speak to an ESO box office representative for details.

Vieaux is expanding the definition of classical guitarist and changing the face of guitar programming, building a solid audience and fan base along the way. His 2007- 08 season contains more than 50 dates internationally.

Highlights include the world premiere of a guitar concerto by renowned composer Jerod Tate with the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, a Florida Orchestra debut, and solo recitals in Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Vieaux has eight recordings to his credit and many more to come with his multi-record deal with Azica Records. His latest release, "Images of Metheny," is a disc of music by American jazz guitarist/composer Pat Metheny. Metheny, after listening to the recording, declared: "I am flattered to be included in Jason's musical world. And I am honored that a musician of his stature has directed his considerable talents to manifest such beautiful and true renditions of these pieces in such a personal way."

"Sevilla: The Music of Isaac Albeniz," was rated one of the Top Ten Classical CDs of 2003 by The Philadelphia Inquirer and Cleveland's Plain Dealer. He recorded his first CD when he was just 19; two years later this was followed by Laureate Series Guitar Recital on Naxos, which went on to sell more than 40,000 copies internationally.

Vieaux's recordings and live performances are heard nationally on the radio and worldwide via the Internet, and he is regularly broadcast via NPR, on such top-rated programs as "Performance Today," "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition."

Vieaux began guitar studies at age 8 with Jeremy Sparks in Buffalo, N.Y., and continued study at The Cleveland Institute of Music with John Holmquist. He is the youngest first-prize winner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Competition and a recipient of The Cleveland Institute of Music's Alumni Achievement Award.

In 1995, Vieaux was honored as an Artistic Ambassador of the United States to Southeast Asia, performing in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (Burma). He has also toured Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.

Vieaux is a regularly featured guest with orchestras across the United States. He has performed as concerto soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Pops, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Auckland Philharmonia, Santa Fe Symphony and San Diego Symphony, working with such conductors as Stefan Sanderling, Alasdair Neale, Steven Smith and Carl Topilow.

Aside from his duties as a performer, Vieaux is highly dedicated to the art of teaching. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where he is head of the Cleveland Institute of Music Guitar Department, making him the youngest department head to serve at the conservatory.

Upcoming concerts will be:

• "Rhapsody in Blue" on April 18-20: ESO favorite Rich Ridenour returns for a concert of Gershwin and Gershwin-inspired favorites. Hear the jazzy soundscape of "Rhapsody in Blue" -- a masterpiece of Americana -- performed by Ridenour, an American master musician. Then, enjoy the world premiere of a Gershwin-influenced work by composer Peter Boyer.

• "George Gershwin: American Icon Festival" on May 2-4. This season's American Icon Festival will feature the eminent Pascal Roge performing two of the best-loved piano concertos of the 20th century -- those of Gershwin and Ravel. The program concludes with "An American in Paris," a rhapsodic invention portraying the vivid experiences of a visitor to the romantic city by day and by night.