Inspiration: Listening to Bach with Rene Izquierdo and Ivan Rijos

For this month’s dose of inspiration we’re going to sit at the feet of Maestro J. S. Bach. In this performance Cuban virtuoso Rene Izquierdo is performing the famous Prelude from the Violin Partita no. 3 arranged for guitar (BWV 1006a). In true Bachian fashion Puerto Rican master Ivan Rijos is then improvising an accompaniment and dialogue with Rene’s part. This is astonishing playing from both performers and Ivan’s improvisation adds something completely new to the music that will surprise and delight you. Bravo!

Rene Izquierdo is professor of Classical Guitar at University of Wisconsin Madison’s Peck School of the Arts. Rene has won numerous competitions including the prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto competition in 2004. Rene studied in Havana before studying at Yale for his Master of Music and Artist Diploma with Ben Verdery.

Ivan Rijos is one of the classical guitar’s greatest improvisers and a master virtuoso. He studied at the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music as well as the University of Arizona and Peabody School of Music. He has won numerous competitions including the renowned Alhambra International Guitar Competition in 1994.