Performance: Yuri Liberzon, classical guitarist

This evening’s program travels across continents and centuries through the expressive voice of the guitar. From the rhythms of Latin America and Spain to the lyricism of Europe and the folk traditions of Russia, each piece highlights the guitar’s unique ability to sing, dance, and tell stories beyond words.

1. Leo Brouwer (b. 1939) — Danza del Altiplano
   A virtuosic homage to Andean folk music, this piece blends driving rhythms with evocative guitar sonorities.
2. Stanley Myers (1930–1993), arr. John Williams — Cavatina
   Known worldwide as the theme from The Deer Hunter, this lyrical work is a modern classic of the guitar repertoire.
3. Antonio Lauro (1917–1986) — Valse Venezolano No. 3
   Lauro, the “Strauss of Venezuela,” infused the European waltz with the rhythmic vitality of his homeland.
4. Sergei Rudnev (b. 1955) — The Old Lime Tree
   A nostalgic Russian folk-inspired work, it paints a tender picture of memory, landscape, and song.
5. Regino Sáinz de la Maza (1896–1981) — Zapateado
   A fiery dance that captures the percussive heel-stamping energy of Spanish flamenco.
6. Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806–1856) — Élégie
   One of the 19th century’s most beloved guitar works, this piece is both intimate and operatic in scope.
7. Ernesto Nazareth (1863–1934) — Odeon
   A Brazilian choro filled with syncopation and charm, bridging classical elegance and popular dance.
8. Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) — Verano Porteño
   From his Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, this tango evokes the sultry heat of a Buenos Aires summer.
9. Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) — Oblivion
   A haunting, lyrical tango often associated with love and loss, showcasing Piazzolla’s gift for melody.
10. Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) — La Muerte del Ángel
    A dramatic and rhythmically charged tango, symbolizing both struggle and transcendence.

About the Artist

Yuri Liberzon is an internationally recognized classical guitarist praised for his “grace, passion, and virtuosity.” A recipient of the U.S. Alien of Extraordinary Ability designation, he trained at the Peabody Conservatory and Yale School of Music and has performed across the United States and abroad. His programs span classical masterworks, Latin American traditions, and contemporary voices. His artistry reflects both deep musical scholarship and a gift for connecting with listeners.

This program celebrates the guitar as a bridge between cultures—an instrument that can whisper with intimacy, pulse with rhythm, and soar with passion. May these pieces carry you on a journey that is at once personal and universal. Connect: Yuri Liberzon