The fluttering strings of a Grammy-winning classical guitarist and composer will illuminate the Williamsburg Regional Library’s theatre Thursday night.
Grammy winner Andrew York is journeying from his Los Angeles home for a concert comprised mostly of his own compositions. He will also be tuning his guitar akin to a cello for a Bach suite.
York has played all over the world, in places like Rome and Munich, but York grew up in Richmond and has previously played in Williamsburg, where he is excited to return.
“You can have a small town with an incredibly sophisticated audience,” York said. “The Tidewater area is an old and venerable area. It’s just a beautiful area of Virginia.”
In 2005, York won a Grammy for Best Classical Crossover CD as a part of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. More recently, his compositions have appeared on Grammy-winning albums by fellow guitarists Jason Vieaux and Sharon Isbin. York said the awards are indeed “awesome.”
“But what I’m most proud of is that I have a fan base that are deeply supportive and moved by my artistic expression,” he said.
York is also the only University of Southern California graduate honored twice as their Outstanding Graduate of the Year: once in 1997 with the quartet and again in 2003 as a solo artist.
“He has the most beautiful sound of almost any guitarist playing today,” Tidewater Classical Guitar Society President Sam Dorsey said.
Dorsey and York have worked together off and on for the past three decades. Dorsey is thrilled to have York’s “amazing artistic presence” return to the library for what will be the third time.
“It’s sublime,” Dorsey said, while also praising the theatre’s intimate atmosphere.
When it comes to York’s source of inspiration, it’s almost inherent to his being.
“When you’re an artist, you’re compelled to be an artist,” he said, asserting that he takes his interests, loves, experiences and more and “swirls them around,” culminating in his art.
On Friday, York will also be collaborating with the Newport News Public Schools Guitar Festival for a workshop.
“Working with younger players is vital,” he said, concerned about what he perceives as the decline of art in the face of modernity.
“The arts are under attack,” he said, citing changes spurred by recent technological and political developments. “The absolute deluge of material leaves people unable to decide what’s good and what’s poor.”
But York is confident that the “level of complexity that exists as an undercurrent” to his music stands out in a seemingly fathomless world of information.
“The more you know, the more you can appreciate it,” York said. But those less musically inclined among us need not worry too much. “I think it’s important to make it available to people on multiple levels of perception.”
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-390-3029.
Want to go?
York’s concert will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday night at the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre at 515 Scotland St. General admission is $25. Student, teacher and senior tickets are $20.
