INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FEST

Siam City Hotel and the Thailand Guitar Society are organising the "Asia International Guitar Festival and Competition 2009" featuring Southeast Asia's finest assembly of international guitar players, guitar makers and guitar enthusiasts during June 18-21.

The ‘‘Asia International Guitar Festival and Competition 2009’’ offers masterclasses, guitar exhibits, competitions and concerts by world-renowned guitarists at Siam City Hotel during June 18-21.

Boasted to be the biggest and most vibrant event for classical guitar aficionados and music lovers throughout Asia, the festival, now in its third year, will cover masterclasses, guitar exhibits, competitions and concerts by acclaimed guitarists from Argentina, Japan, Thailand and Europe.

There's a varied programme each day, culminating in a concert by one of the guitar maestros.

Festival goers will be treated to "Fiesta Latina", a classical guitar variety concert featuring all guitarists playing together, on the opening night, June 18 at 8pm.

The night will see world-class participants such as Hugo Geller of Argentina, Ermanno Bottiglieri of Italy and Leon Koudelak of the Czech Republic. Players from Thailand include the award-winning Woratep Rattana-umpawan and upcoming sensation Ekachai Jearakul, first prize winner at the 2007 International Classical Guitar Competition in Russia.

Adding excitement to the repertoire with their unique energetic style are the entertaining Maria Duo of Japan, Yoko Fujimori and Shinobu Saguwara, while Fuenglada Prawang will join the cast with her resounding soprano vocals.

The Spanish-inspired programme incorporates a wide range of styles, from passionate pieces by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz, to the dramatic compositions of Villa-Lobos and the fast-paced virtuosic works of the modern Cuban composer Leo Brouwer.

The Maria Duo will finish the show with short pieces by M. Rodriguez and Brazilian composer Zequinha de Abreu, featuring tango and bossa nova rhythms.

The festival will also help enhance the educational development of classical guitar students in Thailand. Without having to go overseas, they have the chance to compete at an international level and to observe the talents of world-class guitarists both as players and performers.

Masterclasses start each day at 9:30am, followed by an afternoon class at 2pm on June 18, while the competition which covers both junior and senior categories is scheduled for June 19-20 at 1pm with the final round on June 21 at 2pm. Each winner can take their pick of custom-made guitars by international luthiers.

Each day will culminate in a live concert at 8pm. Performers include Minoru Inagaki on June 19, Roman Viazovskiy of Ukraine on June 20 and Hugo Geller on June 21.

All concerts will be performed in the hotel's Rattanakosin Lounge with tickets priced at 600 baht (400 baht for students), inclusive of a coffee break.

Tickets for observers of masterclasses and competitions cost 200 baht. To book seats, contact Siam City Hotel on 02-247-0123 ext 1912 and 1944. For more information, please visit http://www.thailandguitarsociety.com.