Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
Joseph Hagedorn
Benjamin Kunkel
Wade Oden
Maja Radovanlija
Program – April 24, 2015 – Hendersonville, NC
Windy**----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
The Sea Between (2014)*----------------------------------------------------------------David Crittenden (b. 1960)
Scarborough Fair
Humoresque
Introduction and Dance
From Toccata in Dm, BWV 913**-----------------------------------------------------------J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Introduction & Fugue
Three Finnish Pieces**--------------------------------------------------------------------Maria Kalaniemi (b.1964)
Tahdet Taivahalla
Skymningspolskan
Hermannin Riili
INTERMISSION
Ghetto Strings (2001)*----------------------------------------------------------Daniel Bernard Roumain (b. 1970)
Harlem
Cuatro Piezas**------------------------------------------------------------------------Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)
Caleseras (Homenaje a Chueca)
Fandango del ventorrillo
Plegaria de la Infanta de Castilla
Danza valenciana
Danzas Argentinas**----------------------------------------------------------------Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)
Danza del viejo boyero
Danza de la moza donosa
Danza del gaucho matrero
* Written for the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
**Arranged by the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
www.minneapolisguitarquartet.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
With its superior imagination, artistry, and musical mastery, the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet has made its
case as “one of the major guitar ensembles in the world” (Soundboard Magazine) since its formation in
1986.
As one of the very few guitar ensembles performing the majority of its repertoire from memory, the
foursome—Joseph Hagedorn, Maja Radovanlija, Benjamin Kunkel and Wade Oden—moves with ease
through original works for guitar quartet to its own brilliant arrangements, and from major commissions
to unexpected collaborations.
The equally high skill level among the four musical partners results in performances with unbroken,
interwoven clarity of lines, distinct voicing, and laser-like purity. “More than a guitar quartet, more than
superb musicians, and more than a great chamber group,” says composer/performer Daniel Bernard
Roumain. “They are ambassadors of sound, style, and substance.”
Some of the most sought-after of the MGQ’s exceptional arrangements are Ginastera's Danzas
Argentinas, Piazzolla's Windy, Debussy's Petite Suite and the extremely popular folk-based music of
Finnish performer/composer Maria Kalaniemi. Mussorgsky’s “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks” from the
composer’s Pictures at an Exhibition is an audience encore favorite. Web magazine minor7th.com called
the MGQ’s recording of the full piece “the best arrangement of these 16 movements I have heard…While
staying true to the original sense of the pieces, the Quartet brings fresh colors and lyricism.”
New projects include an arrangement of Old Castle, by the river, in the middle of the forest, a
contemporary jazz piece by Japanese composer and pianist Hiromi Uehara; Iberian Quartet, a threemovement piece commissioned for the MGQ and flamenco dancer Colette Illarde by composer Ben
Abrahamson; and their own pop arrangements of Purple Rain by pop star Prince himself a Minnesota
native, and Friday on My Mind by the ‘60s Australian group, The Easy Beats.
These diverse ventures represent the quartet’s intention to bring distinctive and imaginative experiences to
its audiences. It has developed three productions with flamenco dancer Colette Illarde—including
Abrahamson’s new work that fully delves into the flamenco realm. Other Illarde collaborations feature the
MGQ’s own arrangements of music by the great Spanish composers Joaquin Rodrigo and Enrique
Granados. Coupled with Ms. Illarde’s choreography, these programs reflect the extraordinary vitality and
diversity of Spanish culture.
The quartet also has created a full program with Gao Hong, master of the Chinese pipa (akin to a lute),
which successfully traverses both character and culture from East to West.
The MGQ has performed its many programs in recital throughout the United States and Mexico in such
cities as Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Omaha, and Boston. The quartet also
has been featured at Princeton University, the Il Encuentro Internacional de Guitarra at the National Arts
Center in Mexico City, San Francisco’s Omni Foundation Dynamite Guitar series, the Round Top
International Guitar Festival in Texas, and several times at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival.
Concerto appearances include the Austin Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra
and Columbus Symphony, among many others. In spring 2015, the quartet will be performing at the
GuitarArt Festival in Belgrade, Serbia.
The cultural accessibility of the guitar makes it a natural for the MGQ's various educational and
community engagement programs like its popular "Guitar Talk" for all ages. As Artists-in-Residence with
Minnesota Public Radio during the 2014 season, the MGQ performed for elementary school students
throughout the Twin Cities. The MGQ's newest offering is its “Guitar Ensemble Crash Course,” a 90minute class introducing participants to the "hands-on" experience of guitar ensemble playing,
culminating in a live performance. All members of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet are regular teachers
and collegiate faculty members and frequently conduct master classes and workshops at festivals and
universities throughout the United States.
The MGQ has been heard on the nationally syndicated radio program Saint Paul Sunday, and on National
Public Radio’s Performance Today. The quartet also has garnered unanimous international critical
acclaim from its five CDs on the Albany, GSP, and innova labels.
For more information, please visit www.minneapolisguitarquartet.com, follow on Facebook and Twitter
@MplsGuitarQt
----------------------------------------------------------Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
As one of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet’s founding members, Joseph Hagedorn has largely been
responsible for the growth and development of this ensemble since its inception in 1986. His gift for
arranging has produced dozens of musical opportunities for the MGQ, from the sought-after Windy by
Piazzolla and Danzas Argentinas by Ginastera to the recent arrangements of jazz and pop music by
Hiromi and Prince. He also performs on all of the group’s five recordings. Joseph’s solo and concerto
appearances have taken him to more than 25 American cities and to Canada. He has been heard twice on
the nationally broadcast radio program Saint Paul Sunday, once with the MGQ and again with violinist
Leslie Shank. In 1990, Joseph was the winner of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America solo
competition, enabling a concert tour throughout the United States. This native Iowan received his
Bachelor of Music degree from Cornell College, and his Master of Music degree from the University of
Minnesota. Joseph was a student of Richard Stratton, Christopher Carrington, Nelson Amos, and Jeffrey
Van. He has been on the music faculty of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls since 1988.
Serbian-born Maja Radovanlija has performed extensively as an international solo and chamber
musician, touring Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Macedonia, Greece, Tunisia, Switzerland, and other
European countries. She joined the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet in 2012, bringing an eclectic musical
background including performances with Mu Daiko Japanese Theater and improvised concerts with
guitarist/composer Alex Lubet, as well as participating in workshops led by famous jazz musician Vojin
Draskoci. Maja was awarded First Prize at the International Competition in Kjustendil, Bulgaria, and
Second Prize at the Petar Konjevic International Competition in Belgade. She completed her bachelor’s
degree at the University of Belgrade as a student of Prof. Srdjan Tosic. Maja came to the United States to
study at Indiana University’s School of Music where she received both her master’s and doctoral degrees
under Ernesto Bitetti, as well as studying early music with lutenist Nigel North. Maja won Second
Prize at I.U.’s Latin American music competition, and in 2011 was appointed to the guitar faculty at the
University of Minnesota School of Music. Visit her website: www.majaradovanlija.net
Born in Mankato, Minnesota, Benjamin Kunkel has the distinction of being the newest member—and
the first native Minnesotan—of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. Benjamin is an active solo and chamber
musician, appearing in concert across the United States, frequently collaborating with the acclaimed
Minneapolis-based choral group, The Mirandola Ensemble. Recently, he has been featured with the
Minnesota Guitar Society, Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, Cleveland Composers Guild, Greater
Cleveland Flute Society, Heights Arts, and Chamber Music Midwest. Benjamin is a passionate advocate
of new music and works closely with composers to premiere their works and expand the classical guitar’s
repertoire. Benjamin earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Minnesota and his
Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with renowned guitarists Jeffrey Van
and Jason Vieaux, respectively. At CIM, he twice was awarded the Rosalia Ablan Memorial Prize in
Guitar. A dedicated teacher, he is currently on the faculty of St. Joseph’s School of Music and St. Paul
Guitar Studio in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A passionate performer, composer, arranger, and teacher, Wade Oden was born in Lubbock, Texas and
grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has performed widely as part of the Voce y Cuerdas duo in varied
repertoire including music of Brazil, Hawaii, Spain, and Italy, as well as new works by composers Chris
Gable, Libby Larsen, Carol Barnett and Todd Harper. In 2008, Wade toured with The Rose Ensemble
vocal group—performing sacred and secular music—to the Festival d’Ile de France. This performance
was recorded and broadcast on Radio France. Wade’s composition Aquam Effunde for piano, bass clarinet
and marimba won First Prize in the 2005 Eric Stokes Song Contest. In 2003 and 2006 he released Love
Songs for Andromeda and fLora as director of the Space Station Alpha experimental pop ensemble. Wade
is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Guitar Performance at the University of Minnesota, where he also
received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Wade’s guitar teachers include O. Nicholas Raths, James
McGuire and Jeffrey Van. He currently directs the guitar program at Normandale Community College
where he has premiered many arrangements and original compositions for the Normandale Guitar
Ensemble.