Young Swede To Perform in Tucson

Johannes Mӧller, Guitar Foundation of America Competition Winner to Appear in Tucson

Thursday, January 19 at 7 PM

Holsclaw Hall, U of A campus

Internationally renowned guitarist Johannes Mӧller of Sweden will bring the artistry of classical guitar to the intimate setting of Holsclaw Hall in Tucson on Thursday, January 19. In 2010, Mӧller was awarded first prize in the GFA Concert Artist Competition, which is often considered the most prestigious guitar competition in the world. As part of this prize, he will perform over 60 concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and China, including a Carnegie Hall debut (Weill Recital Hall). He has also recorded a CD on the Naxos label.

His much-anticipated performance here will take place at 7 PM in Holsclaw Hall, located on the University of Arizona campus, and is brought to Tucson as a collaboration of the Tucson Guitar Society, the University of Arizona Bolton Guitar Studies, and the Guitar Foundation of America. Mr. Moller will also teach a master class on Wednesday, January 18 at Slonaker Hall from 6-9 PM. Public is invited to observe for a $5 fee.

A recognized guitar virtuoso, Mӧller has mesmerized audiences and critics alike with his breath-taking technique, artistic sensitivity and charisma. He played his first public concerts when he was 13 years old. Since then he has found time for more than 500 appearances in Europe, Asia, South and North America.

As a performer, Johannes’s artistry has reached well beyond the usual guitar circles. This fact was confirmed in March 2008 when he won the Dutch Vriendenkrans Concours where he was competing against performers in all of the instrumental categories. As a part of this award his name has been engraved on a metal plate that can be seen in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also became the first guitarist ever to win the Ljunggrenska Competition (Sweden) in 2007, and the conclusion issued by the jury was: “With the help of a breathtaking technique and all the colors of the rainbow he opens a door to a world of subtle expressions which with great power and intensity strikes us.” In 2005, he became the first guitarist to win The Bromsgrove Festival International Young Musicians Platform (England). Critics have also noted his special qualities, writing of his playing "Guitarist Johannes Moller achieved miracles with his lucid, spacious playing" (Stephen Pettitt, London Evening Standard).

Johannes has earned a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Royal College of Music in London where he studied guitar with Gary Ryan and Carlos Bonell. He has received a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague where he studied with Zoran Dukic. He also received a scholarship for excellent students from the Royal Conservatoire that allowed him to study privately with Pavel Steidl in CzechRepublic. He completed a second masters degree at the Conservatoire in Amsterdam where he studied with Lex Eisenhardt.

Holsclaw Hall has marvelous acoustics and is a preferred venue for guitarists. It is located on the University of Arizona campus, at 1017 N. Olive, in Tucson. Slonaker House, site of the master class, is also on the campus at 1027 E. Second Street. Ample parking is available at the lot south of Speedway on Park. An underpass connects the parking garage to the performance hall plaza.

Seating for this concert is limited as the hall holds only 200: Advance purchase is recommended. The general admission ticket cost is $25, $20 for Tucson Guitar Society members. There is a special price of $15 for students (with ID) in the lobby, space permitting. Tickets sold at the door, cash only. Credit card purchases must be made on-line. Group discounts are available.

Tickets may be obtained via the Tucson Guitar Society web site at www.TucsonGuitarSociety.org. For additional information, email TucsonGS@gmail.com or call 520-342-0022.



The Tucson Guitar Society is supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.