1000 x 90

Renowned Virtuoso Classical Guitarist Appearing at Watauga County Public Library Saturday

By Greg Hince

Photo courtesy of www.peterfletcher.com

June 12, 2012. New York based classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will perform a special composition combining well known pieces and original work Saturday at Watauga County Public Library.

Fletcher, a virtuoso, began guitar study at the age of seven under classical guitar instructor John Sutherland. In December 1983 he made his formal debut at the age of 15 under the auspices of The Brasstown Concert Association in North Carolina.

The Cherokee Scout, a newspaper from Cherokee County NC, said the following of Fletcher’s performance: “He has technical facility but what one remembers about his playing is the nuances, the poetical phrasing, dynamic and tonal changes, his harmonics, his cadences.”



Fletcher, 44, began his career in North Carolina and has been entrenched in the world of classical music most of his life. He has received many awards and accolades.

In 1980 classical guitarist Jose Tomas held a week long master class in Atlanta, GA. Peter Fletcher was the youngest student to perform in the class and performed music by Bach and Carcassi. As a performer in the Christopher Parkening Master Class he was chosen to play in the student recital two consecutive years and in 1988 the class was broadcast on NPR.

In 1990 the Music Teacher’s National Association awarded Fletcher a prize at its National Level Competition after he performed Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco’s Concerto in D. In 1995 he received a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and was twice the recipient of an Eastman Graduate Award.

Fletcher had a breakthrough performance at the World Music Series in Oceanside, California in 2005. That same year he was invited to join the distinguished Jury of the 9th Annual Schadt String Competition. He made his New York Debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in February 2007, and returned in 2008, 2009 and 2010 to a sold-out house.

Fletcher has been invited to give recitals at performance halls, churches and other venues across the country. He has also appeared on programs on TBS, and Fox and NBC affiliates across the country.

Guitar International said of Fletcher: “Peter’s interpretation and authenticity of style and tasteful use of tone colors is truly commendable. The playing is thoughtful, well considered, and a true testament in honor of this most respected composer.”



Fletcher has released 6 full-length albums. His most recent album, Peter Fletcher Plays Baroque Music for Guitar, was released in October 2008 on the Tower Hill Records label.

Fletcher’s next project is scheduled to be released before the end of the year on Centaur Records. He will be touring the Southeast through the rest of the summer.

The performance will begin Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Watauga County Public Library.

For more information on the event and Peter Fletcher visit http://www.peterfletcher.com

Video

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N6f3OOLslsA&list=PLF55466A66674D4D6[/youtube]