Classical guitarist Matt Palmer brings a varied program of music from Brazil, Paraguay, the USA, Belarus, Russia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Spain to the Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Sunday July 12 at 4:00 p.m. The concert is part of The Byrd Series: Celebrating Charlie’s 90th and The Hedgelawn Classical Music Series. Admission is $15. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Matt Palmer is only in his thirties but he may be about to transform the sounds of classical guitar. In awarding him the Up and Coming Guitarist of the Year Award in 2010, Guitar International Magazine (which covers all kinds of guitar from heavy metal to classical said, “Classical guitarists don’t usually get much attention when it comes to these types of awards. They’re usually relegated to a category specifically for them, cast aside from the rest of the crowd for being “uncool,” or at least not as cool as their rock and metal brethren. But, after you hear Matt Palmer play a few notes of any piece, modern or historical, the classical guitar takes on a whole new persona, transformed into an instrument that can rival the hipness of any flashy, electric performance.”
In fact, during his teen years, Palmer was an accomplished self-taught heavy metal-shredding guitarist. He learned to read music and made the switch classical at the relatively late age of 18. Fifteen years later he had received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Arizona, where he studied with Thomas Patterson and Artists-in-Residence David Russell, Sergio Assad, and Odair Assad and had written the book, “The Virtuoso Guitarist” about his three-finger chording techniques.
In demand as a performer, Matt’s recent concert engagements have taken him to venues such as Carnegie Hall, Shakespeare Theatre, The Guitar Foundation of America International Convention, numerous universities, guitar societies, and dozens of international guitar festivals throughout the world. He has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, Canada, South America, and the Caribbean.
His debut CD, “Un tiempo fue Itálica famosa,” has been applauded by Guitar International Magazine as “an album of the highest quality…with flawless technique, deep levels of personal expression, and an artistic integrity that seems far too rare these days.” Classical Voice of North Carolina proclaims Palmer’s “positively nuclear” debut displays “stunning precision and unwavering accuracy enclosed in a huge dynamic envelope.”
This is not, however, classical guitar for headbangers. Concert reviews have praised his subtlety and gentle touch while noting that his palette of dynamics and tone color are broad. James Flood, in a concert review for ClevelandClassical.com praised his “ unrelenting musical vision” and said, “Never did he lapse into mere “technical showcasing.” Throughout the performance, everything, even the “flashy” moments, was placed within a clear musical purpose… [the work of] a truly accomplished and refined musician.” The review went on to mention “His three-finger scales, which he wrote a book about, were immediately on display in the Rodrigo, which is filled with fast scales. Speedy scales are difficult to do on the classical guitar, but with his technique, he breezed through them, almost fooling the experienced player into believing that quick scales are actually easy after all.”
In short, this is a classical guitarist who will intrigue guitar aficionados of any sort and classical music lovers as well. His work is deeply satisfying, displays true virtuosity and comes straight from the heart.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.