Bach to Borikén: Baroque, Romantic, and Puerto Rican Guitar Music

Guitarist José Gabriel Maldonado Suárez presents a concert that blends baroque and 19th-century classical guitar sonatas for guitar and piano, coupled with 20th-century songs and danzas from Puerto Rico. Maldonado will perform using a replica of Johann Georg Stauffer's (1778 - 1853) Viennese guitar, to interpret works by JS Bach (1685-1750) and Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841) alongside pianist Weiwei Zhai. The solo repertoire features compositions by Puerto Rican composers, including songs by Rafael Hernandéz (1892-1965) and Juan Sorroche (b. 1947), as well as three Danzas by Lenardo Egúrbida (1945 - 2022). Maldonado will showcase these pieces using a guitar crafted by the renowned Puerto Rican luthier, Fidencio Díaz. This program highlights Maldonado's training in classical music interpretation and his commitment to promoting Puerto Rican music and culture through his research and performances.

Dr. José Maldonado completed his undergraduate studies in musical performance with a concentration in classical guitar at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree in Arts Administration from Baruch College and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from Stony Brook University. Currently, Maldonado serves as the Director of Guitar Studies at Bloomingdale School of Music and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Music at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY).

Performers

José Maldonado, guitar

Weiwei Zhai, piano

Program

Trio Sonata No. 5, BWV 529 | JS Bach (1685 - 1750)
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro

Tres Canciones | Hernández (1892 - 1965) & Juan Sorroche (b. 1947)
I. Perfume de Gardenias
II. Silencio
III. Canción

Tres Danzas | Leonardo Egúrbida (1945 - 2022)
I. Homenaje a Morel
II. Entre ceniza y humo
III. La Saltarina

Grand Duo, Op. 86 | Ferdinando Carulli (1770 - 1841)
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro

Seating first come first serve

Masks Optional

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Pianist Weiwei Zhai has performed throughout Asia, North America, and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. Critics have praised her “enthusiasm and grace” and described her performance as “absolutely gorgeous throughout as to sonority and especially style” (New York Concert Review). Weiwei has played concerts at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, the Harvard Club of New York City, Steinway Hall, Trinity Church Wall Street, Yamaha Artist Service, Klavierhaus, and the Beijing National Library Performing Arts Center. As the first-prize winner of the Concerto Competition at Manhattan School of Music (MSM), she performed the Scriabin Piano Concerto with conductor Philippe Entremont. In addition, she has played with celebrated conductor Christian Vásquez in Italy. Ms. Zhai won top prizes in the Kazakhstan International Piano Competition, and the Five Towns Young Musicians Competition in New York.

An avid chamber musician, Ms. Zhai has collaborated with members of the Grammy winning quintet, Imani Winds. She has appeared at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the PianoTexas International Festival and Academy, and the InterHarmony International Music Festival. She has also premiered works by Latin Grammy winning composer, Carlos Franzetti. She is very involved in charity work with Catholic Relief Services and the United Nations Refugee Agency, Weiwei and her colleagues gave concerts and helped raise considerable funds to provide aid to people in need.

Born in Chengdu, China, Weiwei began to take piano lessons at an early age. She won top prizes in major national competitions and graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where she studied with Manchun Chen. She moved to New York to study at Manhattan School of Music, where she received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, studying with Dr. Solomon Mikowsky and Dr. Inesa Sinkevych. Ms. Zhai is a member of the piano faculty at Bloomingdale School of Music.

Dr. José Gabriel Maldonado Suárez is a musician, arts administrator, and educator from Puerto Rico based in New York City. His classical guitar solo and chamber music repertoire spans works of guitar literature from the Renaissance to contemporary music with a strong emphasis on music from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. His doctoral research focused on the Puerto Rican Danza, tracing the genre's origins, its sociopolitical impact, and its role in the struggle for Puerto Rican decolonization.

As an arts administrator, Dr. Maldonado Suárez curates classical music presentations and events that celebrate Latine and Caribbean music manifestations. His Caribbean-focused repertoire and demonstrated passion for teaching have earned him invitations to perform and present lectures and master classes at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Marshall University, Middlebury College, Columbia University, and the Long Island Guitar Festival, among others. Additionally, he was selected to join the 2023 inaugural cohort of the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) Mentorship Program.

Dr. Maldonado Suárez is the Director of Guitar Studies at Bloomingdale School of Music and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music at John Jay College, the City University of New York (CUNY). Dr. Maldonado Suárez holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from Stony Brook University and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration (MA) degree from Baruch College, CUNY.