An absolute gem of a human being and a world class musician, Edith Pageaud delivered a wonderful evening of classical guitar in Atlanta on Thursday night. Fresh off a 17 hour flight from Paris, she made her way to the venue and played to a packed, highly receptive audience at Central Presbyterian Church. The performance marked the first stop of her fall US tour. Pageaud’s command of the instrument was exceptional, the kind of musicianship one does not encounter every day. If you have the opportunity to see her perform, I highly recommend catching a show. The audience included devoted music lovers and accomplished Atlanta musicians, and everyone left happy and inspired.
Pageaud first found success as a child. She began playing guitar at age seven and, just two years later, won the first of many national competitions. By age 14, she had earned her Diploma of Musical Studies in classical guitar from a conservatory in Paris. Feeling somewhat disenchanted with the instrument, she stepped away from music for seven years to pursue other academic interests. After discovering music that engaged her in new ways, she returned to the guitar and began winning major competitions across Europe, including first prize at the Roland Dyens International Competition. That achievement earned her the distinction of “Révélation Guitare Classique Magazine,” along with a feature in Guitare Classique magazine, where she also appeared on the cover of issue 111.
Pageaud’s program spanned centuries of music, from the Baroque period with works by Biber and Seixas to more modern pieces by Piazzolla and Yupanqui. Her playing was remarkably smooth, with phenomenal control of dynamics. Her command of volume, precision of note placement, and consistency were those of a seasoned professional. Between pieces, she took time to share some of the history behind the music and explain why particular works were meaningful to her. She also changed the guitar’s tuning by ear with astonishing speed, making precise adjustments throughout the performance while making the entire process look effortless.
Atlanta’s concert was part of a series presented by Concerts in America, which brings a diverse range of classical, flamenco, fingerstyle, folk, and jazz guitarists to audiences across the country. Their website is well worth a visit. They have a knack for discovering remarkable musicians and giving audiences the opportunity to experience their artistry firsthand.
Be sure to head over to Edit Pageaud’s social media accounts and follow her for updates on when you can attend a show next.
Glass
Opening (arr. V. Miladinovic)
Mertz
Introduction et Rondo Brillant
Schubert
Gute Nacht (arr. Edith Pageaud)
Schubert
Aufenthalt (arr. Mertz)
Messiaen
Louanges (arr. M. Tozzola)
Biber
Passacaglia (arr. Pageaud)
Rachmaninov
Prélude in C# minor (arr. Pageaud)
Scriabin
Étude Op. 8 No. 12 (arr. Pageaud)
Program:
Seixas
Sonata K. 24
Piazzolla
Oblivion (arr. Dyens)
Yupanqui
El Bien Perdido
Tansman
Passacaille
