Graham sibling duo to perform recital

By: Dustin Looney
Features Editor

According to assistant pro fessor of music at Monmouth College Sarah J. Graham, the classical guitar is a unique instrument in the musical world. Monmouth students will get to observe this first hand, as Graham’s brother, Michael Graham, will perform a recital titled “From Britain to Brazil (and A Few Stops in Between)” tonight, Friday, in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium at 8 p.m.

“I thought it was important to bring in something unique and different because we don’t have a classical guitarist that performs regularly here,” Sarah said. “It’s exciting to bring someone in as accomplished and who is such an incredible musician both technically and musically.”

Michael is a classical guitarist and composer from Washington, and with his sister he will perform the recital. Throughout the recital, he will play the lute and classical guitar while Sarah, a soprano, will sing.

“From Britain to Brazil (and A Few Stops in Between),” which will last for one hour, is free and open to the public and will be broken up into four sets.
It will open with three English lute songs written by the well-known composer, John Dowland.

In the second part, Michael will play a set of classical guitar compositions by Villa Lobos, Mussorgski and Ronald Dyens, among others.

After a brief intermission, he will continue playing his classical guitar, playing four works of his own.

His sister will join him for the final set which will have a Brazilian theme. The duo will play two Brazilian folk songs and, to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, they will perform a surprise encore.

Although the Grahams’ parents were not heavily into music, the three children of the family are all profoundly into music, all receiving at least undergraduate degrees in the music field.

Michael had to fly from Seattle to get here, but Sarah said he is looking forward to the recital.

“He enjoys doing it and he enjoys being able to get his art out there,” she said. “He’s always eager to get out and do this type of thing.”

Michael has been playing the classical guitar for 15 years and has made numerous original compositions. His work can be heard online, at www.myspace.com/michaellaskowsky.