Celebrated cellist Aaron Minsky to play in Whanganui

American Cellist Aaron Minsky will share his rock to classical sojourn in Whanganui next week.

Celebrated American cellist and composer, Aaron Minsky, will be in Whanganui for two days next week.

He is among the most influential string musicians of his generation and Whanganui music students will have opportunity to join a composition workshop for schools and a cello masterclass and workshop with Minsky.

His visit will culminate in a lecture recital in the Prince Edward Auditorium at Wanganui Collegiate next Friday.

His "celtar" style (combining cello and guitar technique) has entered the popular and classical worlds.

Minsky composed the first classical arrangement ever approved by Ice Nine (the Grateful Dead's publisher) titled Dead Cello.

He conducted the world premiere of his Legends of Cellandia for cello orchestra at the Royal Academy of Music, London and recently debuted his cello concerto, The Conqueror with the Staten Island Philharmonic.

Minsky's visit is sponsored by the Whanganui branch of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand (IRMTNZ).

Minsky is in Who's Who in America as well as the International Who's Who, and has performed with a wide range of artists from Mstislav Rostropovitch to David Bowie.

An accomplished rock guitarist in his teens, it was Minsky's search for a new guitar sound that led him to the cello.

In this short lecture recital, Minsky will discuss how he started as a rock guitarist, found Bach when he switched to classical cello, and then combined the two, demonstrating his music with performances during the lecture.

The main thrust of his music is the combining of rock and classical. He may also discuss the Jewish influence along with other influences such as jazz, Latin, Celtic and modern classical.

Aaron Minsky From Rock to Bach and Back, Prince Edward Auditorium of Wanganui Collegiate School, Friday August 11 at 5.30pm. Refreshments and a chance to meet Aaron Minsky will be on offer after the recital. Tickets are available from the Royal Whanganui Opera House or at the door (no eftpos). Adults $25 Chamber Music Wanganui subscribers and IRMTNZ members $20, Students $5.