Classical guitarists add spice to the night

A contrasting blend of classical German and Latin melodies echoed throughout the auditorium of the John Waldron Arts Center as guitar soloists Risa Carlson and Martha Masters engaged in a tag-team performance that brought to life a collection of music inspired by classical artists and composer. \nThe Bloomington Area Arts Council, along with the John Waldron Arts Center, hosted Duo Erato as part of the BAAC annual Performance Series Saturday evening.\nThe two nationally known guitar soloists performed a musical selection that included a newly commissioned piece inspired by lyrics from Italian composer Simone Iannerelli and paintings by Frida Kahlo.\n"These are truly two of the most talented guitarists, possibly in the world, I think everyone really enjoyed the show," said Ed Vande Sande, director of Bloomington Area Arts Council Development and Marketing.\nChief Announcer at WFIU, George Walker, played music from the newly commissioned CD "Duo Erato" during this past week and conducted a live interview with Carlson over the air.\n"Each of these players have great talent, yet when they play together it is as if their guitars are working against each other to create the perfect melody," Walker said, who agreed that both women are "quite capable of turning on the power and lighting up the room with their music."\nThe Bloomington Classical Guitar Society, which hosted the event, is an organization committed to advancing the art of classical guitarists through outreach and education, according to its Web site.\n"I love to teach, it is a rewarding feeling to watch your students grow and respect the music," Masters said, who is the assistant director for the National Guitar Workshop. "I really fell in love with the music when I was about 15, now I feel comfortable playing whether it be in duet with Risa Carlson or in any combination of music." \nMasters studied at the University of Southern California and has since won many international competitions. Her true inspiration came from her first music teacher when she was a child, she said.\n"He taught me true technique but incorporated music that would interest a kid," Masters said.\nCarlson has also collected many awards, including prizes at the 18th annual Guitar Foundation of America. Her music is regarded as "moody, often virtuosic, and brilliantly articulated," by critics, according to her Web site.\nTickets and information for future events from the Bloomington Area Arts Council and the John Waldron Arts Center can be found online at www.artlives.org.