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Two men, a piano and guitar

Piano and classical guitar will take listeners south to the classical flavours of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South America

Piano and classical guitar will take listeners south to the classical flavours of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South America when Andrew Stoney and Jonathan Stuchbery perform in concert Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19.

The concert, Bajo la Palmera, is the title of one of the pieces and means “under the palm tree.”

“Jonathan is an incredible performer on a very difficult instrument, classical guitar, although he is very modest about his playing abilities,” says Stoney, who is music director at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

“Piano and guitar are two instruments that are usually either solo performers or the accompaniment instrument to another performer.”

Stoney says the kind of collaborative playing featured in Bajo la Palmera is very rewarding.

“We understand each other,” he exclaims. “Also there is some incredibly beautiful music written for the ensemble that does not get heard very often.”

Well-known for his talented piano playing, Stoney heaps accolades on Stutchbery.

“He is an avid and dedicated performer,” says Stoney, noting Stutchbery has performed at events for the Governor General of Canada, for theatre productions, and in recital in chamber both in ensembles, and as a soloist.

“His roots are in B.C., where he was recently the guest soloist for the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the winner in the Senior Guitar category of the Provincial Performing Arts Festival.”

The recital programme will feature composers such as Albeniz, Respighi, Giuliani, Villa-Lobos, Ponce, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Barrios and Leo Brouwer.

A reception will follow the performances which take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19 at St. Andrew’s and admission is by donation.

“I should mention that I chose St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as the recital venue because it has the best acoustics in town, and the piano is in excellent shape while still retaining its old romantic sound from its near 100-year-old soundboard. “