A series of fund-raising classical guitar concerts are planned; - here are details of the first such concert - a total of £1,200.00 was raised for the Choir Tour Fund. The concert was sold out - an audience of 200 enjoyed an evening of superb guitar playing by Mark Ashford.

If you would like to be informed of future guitar (and other) concerts, Contact me  - Click here!

Lincoln Cathedral Choir Tour Fund

presents

Mark Ashford   -    Classical Guitarist

in a programme of Italian and Spanish music from the 16th to 20th centuries, including works by Granados, Diabelli, Tarrega and Sanz.

Saturday 24th January 2004

Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House

7.30 p.m.

Tickets: £7.00       £5.00 (concessions / children)

including refreshments during the interval

Tickets available from:     Cathedral Gift Shop

                                       Barbara Lynch   01522 820855

Mark Ashford began his formal training at Chetham's School of Music, and continued at The Royal Academy. He is now considered one of the best guitarists in Britain. He has won many prizes, and has given performances throughout Europe and the USA. As a concerto soloist, Mark has worked with orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Concertante and the Turin Symphony Orchestra.

ALL PROCEEDS TO THE CHOIR TOUR FUND

                              PROGRAMME:

   E Granados (1867 – 1916)                    Danza Española No.5

L Milan (1500 - 1562)                     Pavanas No.6

L de Narváez (1500 - 1555)                  Mille Regretz

                                                F. da Milano  (1497 – 1543)                  Ricercare LVII

                                                               G Sanz  (1640 - 1710)                      Canarios

                                                                A. Diabelli  (1781 – 1858)   Sonata in A Major

 INTERVAL

 (Wine kindly donated by The Wig & Mitre)

                                                I. Albeniz  (1860 – 1909)                               Sevilla

                          F.Moreno Torroba (1891-1982)             Sonatina in A: Allegretto; Andante; Allegro

                                      F Tárrega (1852-1909)                                      Danza Mora:   Pavana;  Adelita

               Study on a theme of Mendelssohn

                                     C. Trenet                                             Revoir Paris

                                     M. Monnot                                          L’Hymne a l’amour

                                     E. Dizeo & A. Cabral                         La Foule  (Arr. R.Dyens)

The Choir Tour Fund acknowledges the generous support of Mark Ashford, The Dean & Chapter of Lincoln, The Dean’s Verger, and Michael Hope (The Wig & Mitre).

                                         Mark Ashford

Born in Northampton, Mark began his formal musical training when he was accepted to study at Chetham's School of Music with Gordon Crosskey. He then went on to study with Michael Lewin as a scholarship student at the Royal Academy of Music, from where he graduated in 1993 with first class honours, the Julian Bream Guitar prize and awards from the Principal. The following year Mark continued his studies with the renowned British guitarist David Russell in Spain thanks to financial awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Allcard grants and the Royal Academy of Music.

Mark has won many national and international prizes most notably first prize at the Scandinavian International Guitar Competition, Finland, first prize Radio Two Young Musician, South East Arts Platform Award, third prize at the Alessandria International Guitar Competition, Italy and second prize at the Guitar Foundation of America.

He has performed as a soloist at many of the UK's most prestigious chamber music venues including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Fairfield Halls, St George's Brandon Hill and the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh.

As a concerto soloist Mark has worked with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Concertante and the Turin Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of such eminent conductors as Carl Davis, Christopher Warren-Green, Barry Wordsworth and Ignacio Yepes.

Performances have also taken him to France, Italy, Finland, Holland, Hungary, U.S.A, Cuba and Barbados.

His recitals have been broadcast on BBC Radio 2 & 3, BBC World Service and Classic FM.  Over recent year's Mark has premiered works by Gordon McPherson, Roxanna Panufnik, Keely Hodgson, Martin Best and Edward Watson.

Mark is currently guitar tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music and has recently been elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music having achieved distinction in the profession.

"Ashford shows in turns a songlike cantabile and a riveting light touch."         The Observer                      

“A most impressive performer”                   The Strad

"........a truly remarkable guitarist"              Classical Guitar                                                               

"Ashford projects a full rich sound on his spruce guitar; he is polished, musical, and intense."                    Soundboard

"........his performance was nothing short of dynamic."      Classical Guitar                                                                                                                           

“Mark Ashford has a wonderful musicianship and an impeccable technique.  He is one of the most talented guitarists I know.”                       David Russell

"The Bach Sonata sounded inspirational, and with both the Fugue and Allegro, Ashford, on several occasions transcended the mere excellent to something on a far higher plain".               Classical Guitar

The Choir Tour Fund acknowledges the generous support of Mark Ashford, The Dean & Chapter of Lincoln, The Dean’s Verger, and Michael Hope (The Wig & Mitre).