PAUL VONDIZIANO, BIOGRAPHY.
Paul Vondiziano was born in Larnaca, Cyprus, where he began his study of the guitar at the age of eight. He continued his education in the United States in both philosophy and music, and holds a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania. Following his studies he returned to Cyprus, where his performance activities led to further engagements and tours on the European Continent. Since his return to America he has been active as a performer, and continues to make appearances abroad.
He has premiered works for guitar such as his own Memories of Inner Time and Triptych, as well as Will Bottje’s Lighter Strings for guitar and harpsichord and Greetings suite for solo guitar. His recordings include (1) Two Rooms and a Guitar (with Baroque and South American music: D. Kellner, R. De Visee, A. Logy and A. Lauro), (2) J. S. Bach: The Four Lute Suites (BWV 996, 997, 995, 1006a), (3) The Mediterranean Guitar (with works by G. Sanz, M. Theodorakis, and C. Domeniconi), (4) J. S. Bach: Prelude, Second Partita, Third Sonata (BWV 999, BWV 1004, BWV 1005 transcribed from the works for violin solo) and (5) Spirit of Brazil: Guitar Music of Joao Guimaraes-Pernambuco. 6) Paul Vondiziano plays Paul Vondiziano: Four Diverse Works for Guitar is a recording of his own compositions (four multi-movement works) for solo guitar.
Some of his repeated appearances include Cyprus, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Scotland, Greece, Spain, and in the U.S. : New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Iowa, Idaho, as well as Alberta Canada.
He has collaborated with various musicians and ensembles (two guitars, flute-guitar, cello-guitar, voice-guitar, piano-guitar, string quartet-guitar, choir-guitar, etc) and has performed as concerto soloist with ensembles such as the Cyprus National Chamber Orchestra, the Boise Philharmonic, Kalamazoo Symphony, Plymouth Symphony, and various university-related orchestras. He has also participated in ensembles such as Opera Grand Rapids (in productions of “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Philip Glass) and Greek Music Groups. Other collaborations include a guitar-harpsichord duo with Susan Lawrence from the Gilmore Keyboard Festival. He has been featured both in performance and interview formats on Cyprus National Television and Radio, Swedish Radio, Public Radio Stations in the U.S., and CBC Radio in Canada.
More recent highlights include successful and well received solo performances in Athens Greece, Nicosia Cyprus, Sotogrande and Jimena in Spain. Also in 2009, a short tour of North and South Carolina, and the continuation of a two year venture of intimate community presentations in library venues throughout Michigan.
Paul has an ongoing philosophical interest in life, and apart from music, applies his creative efforts to poetry and ideas. In addition to performing, he occasionally gives lectures, seminars and master-classes.
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