Graduation Recital: John Marcel Williams, guitar
Guitarist John Marcel Williams presents a quartet of works from baroque to the late 20th century. The recital opens with powerful and energetic movements from the solo cello suites of J. S. Bach and continues with the dreamy and restless Another’s Fandango by living American composer John Anthony Lennon.
John jumps back a century with Asturias, a passionate tour de force by Isaac Albéniz, a fierce advocate for the music of his native Spain. The performance concludes with an alluring sonata by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, a gifted musician who later taught iconic film composers including Jerry Goldsmith, Henry Mancini, and John Williams.
Program (subject to change)
| JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH | Concerto in D major, BWV 972, trans. Marcos Díaz |
| JOHN ANTHONY LENNON | Another’s Fandango |
| ISAAC ALBÉNIZ | Asturias, from Suite española No. 1, trans. Julian Byzantine |
| MARIO CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO | Sonata (“Homage to Boccherini”), Op. 77 |
Notes from John
How have you been preparing for your recital? Anything different since it is recorded?
Preparing is mostly the same when it comes to practice, but recording presents some unique challenges. I live in a small studio apartment with a cat. I’ve done a few recorded performances over the past year and she seems to really enjoy jumping on the chair or into the camera shot at the worst times.
What is a favorite memory from your time at Curtis?
So many good memories, but I think I’ll miss the little things most, like summer nights practicing at the old building with a view of Rittenhouse Square from my window.
What is one thing you are excited to experience after graduating?
After nearly 10 years of school and 3 degrees from 2 schools, I’m happy to be done with school! Studying at Curtis has been an incredible experience, but I’m looking forward to spending all of my time and energy performing and teaching on my own as I go forward.
