The Victoria Bach Festival is pleased to welcome guitarist Matthew Gillen and flutist Natalie Magaña to Victoria as the 2018 Emerging Artists.
Pianist and Emerging Artist Coordinator Faith DeBow has been working with Natalie and Matthew on their program for Wednesday, June 6 at First United Methodist Church in Victoria.
Faith notes, “I think audience members will especially enjoy the chance to hear Bach duos for flute and guitar. Their light and transparent textures are such a natural fit!”
The Emerging Artists perform at noon on Wednesday, June 6, at First United Methodist Church, 407 N. Bridge Street (donations welcome). They will also perform on Thursday, June 7 at the Victoria Public Library at 10:30 am and at the Children’s Discovery Museum at 2:30 pm.
We asked Natalie and Matthew a few questions about their concert and their thoughts on performing at the 2018 Victoria Bach Festival.
VBF: When did you start playing your instrument and what do you like about it?
NATALIE: I started playing the flute when I was in fifth grade, about 18 years ago. I enjoy the flute because there is a deep tradition of the flute found within many cultures. I also really enjoy experimenting with new sounds and pushing the limits of the instrument.
MATTHEW: I fell into classical guitar almost accidentally, at 17, after years of casually playing other instruments. I love the guitar’s capacity for nuance: how almost imperceptible changes in angle or force create significantly different sounds and shades. By the same token, the difference between a perfect note and a horrific “splat” is comically slim, which makes for quite a challenge.
VBF: What will surprise people about the program you have planned?
NATALIE: I think people will really enjoy the collaboration between all of us involved on this program. It is an exciting program in which we are fortunate to work together to create an art form we are all so passionate about.
MATTHEW: In terms of the program as a whole, I think audiences will be surprised by the diverse scope. We will be moving from Bach to present day with many stops in between.
VBF: What are you looking forward to most at the Victoria Bach Festival?
NATALIE: I am really looking forward to collaborating with new musicians and bringing music to many different people. Outreach is my favorite part of being a musician, so I am very excited about the chance to perform for many groups.
MATTHEW: I’m looking forward to hearing the other great concerts! Particularly, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and Mozart’s Requiem.