OPEN SKY: Stephanie Jones (Canberra)

PROGRAM:
Stephanie Jones, an internationally acclaimed virtuoso of the classical guitar, brings her unmatched artistry and technical brilliance to a program that redefines the boundaries of the instrument. With a repertoire spanning centuries and continents, this concert is a testament to her ability to transform the guitar into a medium of profound emotional and cultural expression.

The concert begins with two buoyant movements, the Gavotte and Gigue from Johann Sebastian Bach’s BWV 1006a, highlighting the intricate counterpoint and uplifting spirit of Baroque dance music.

From the Baroque to contemporary Australia, the program then explores the evocative works of Richard Charlton and Ross Edwards, two of Australia’s most celebrated composers for the guitar. Charlton’s Black Cockatoo Flying Alone and Beneath a River of Stars offer a delicate balance of lyrical expressiveness and vivid imagery, while Edwards’ Blackwattle Caprices, inspired by the natural beauty of Sydney’s Blackwattle Bay, delights with its intricate rhythms and lively maninya style.

Latin American influences follow with Quique Sinesi’s Cielo Abierto or “Open Sky,” a virtuosic work blending Argentine folk and tango traditions with a jazz-infused improvisatory nature. The rich traditions of Ukrainian folk music are explored in Rostislav Golubov’s Fantasy on the theme of Ukrainian folk song ‘Oh, in the cherry orchard,’ which combines poignant melodies with emotive harmonies and evocative tremolo passages.

The second half of the program features one of the pinnacles of 20th-century guitar repertoire: Astor Piazzolla’s Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires). These vibrant tangos capture the essence of Buenos Aires across the seasons, blending rhythmic vitality with deep emotional resonance.

The program concludes with a nod to the iconic sounds of Brazil through Antônio Carlos Jobim’s Felicidade, arranged by Roland Dyens. This timeless piece, infused with the bittersweet charm of bossa nova, is a fitting end to an evening of compelling artistry and musical exploration.

ABOUT STEPHANIE:
Stephanie Jones’ childhood resonated with the sound of music from a very young age. She played many instruments, beginning with the piano and progressing to the violin, viola, saxophone, and flute. However, it was the guitar, with its captivating range of sounds and remarkable versatility, that captured her imagination and became her first love—a love that would shape her future and establish her as one of the world’s leading classical guitarists.

An Australian virtuoso now based in Germany, Stephanie has earned both a Master’s and a Konzertexamen degree from the prestigious University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar. She has won numerous awards in prestigious competitions, including first prize at the Hannabach Guitar Competition, Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition, and Fine Music Network Young “Virtuoso of the Year” Competition.

Stephanie also has a number of devoted followers from across the globe. Across all her social media channels, she has over 200,000 followers, with her YouTube channel being one of the largest in the classical guitar world, accumulating over 140,000 subscribers and more than 17 million views.

Stephanie continues to perform and give masterclasses around the world in multiple tours and festivals. She has released four albums, her latest titled “Open Sky” (2020), featuring music from South America.

Passionate about sharing her music with others, Stephanie is recognised as an innovative and deeply musical artist.