Virtuoso Italian classical guitarist Martina Malagesi made a special appearance, her debut in the USA, in solo recital at the home of Greg Castelnuovo-Tedesco, grandson of the late famous composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco in West Los Angeles on Saturday.
This was a groupmuse event, an organization that presents live concerts in a living room, backyard, or other intimate space. They’re casual and friendly, hosted by community members that have a passion for music.
Malagesi is from Rome, Italy and studied at the famous Accademia di Imola, an important Academy in the North of Italy with teachers Giovanni Puddu, Matteo Mela, Arturo Tallini and Marcin Dylla. She currently trains with Tallini.
She has a concertistic career and is also a teacher in Italy. Malagesi has performed in the UK and Germany, and now, America, and attended for two years the prestigious course at the Acccademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
At Malagesi’s guitar recital, she delighted the concert attendees performing compositions by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Rodrigo, De Falla, Ponce, Barrios, among others.
She is a master technician with great focus and played each composition remarkably and with passion.
One of the bright spots, of the many, on the program was her rendition of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s “Obsequio a el Maestro.” It was transcendent. She played with refinement of technique and expressiveness. Malagesi channeled the spirit and intentions of Castelnuouvo-Tedesco and rocketed the composition to the next dimension.
And this is how she played all of the pieces on the program.