Schoharie County Arts Hosts Award-winning Classical Guitarist

SCHOHARIE — Peter Fletcher, an award-winning classical guitarist, will present a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church, located at 314 Main St.

The free concert is sponsored by Schoharie County Arts, a nonprofit that works to promote cultural and arts-related activities, advance individual artists and organizations, and contribute to the county’s cultural and economic growth.

Based out of Detroit and New York City, Fletcher’s critically acclaimed recordings are featured on the Centaur Records and Towerhill Recordings labels. His newest CD is titled “Peter Fletcher in Concert.”

“We’re thrilled to host award-winning guitarist Peter Fletcher,” said Lisa Ovitt, Schoharie County Arts Board President. “It will be a wonderful evening of music in a beautiful venue.” 

Fletcher has performed at Carnegie Hall and throughout the United States. He will present an audience-friendly solo concert featuring music from the Renaissance Period through the 20th century. 

The program will feature: Bach’s Chaconne and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring; Prelude and Allegro by Spanish lutenist Santiago de Murcia; Variations on a theme by G.F. Handel’s “The Harmonious Blacksmith” by 19th century Italian guitarist and composer Mauro Giuliani; Spanish guitarist and composer Francisco Tárrega’s beautiful Capricho Araby; and Barcarole and Danza Pomposa by Polish composer Alexandre Tansman.

Fletcher will also perform Simple Gifts, a Traditional Shaker Hymn arranged for guitar by Christopher Parkening, and a captivating work titled Usher – Valse, by Russian guitarist and composer Nikita Koshkin.

The concert will culminate with Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz’s Córdoba and Leyenda from Cantos de España, arranged by Fletcher from piano to classical guitar. 

Refreshments will also be served.

In addition, Schoharie County Arts is hosting the third annual Schoharie County Arts Trail Driveabout, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5, featuring studio tours and work by dozens of local artists.

New this year, the Cherry Valley Art Trail (https://www.cherryvalley.com) is being held on the same weekend as Schoharie’s, and the two organizations are cross-promoting events in the hope patrons will cross over and visit the neighboring counties.

For information, go to https://www.schohariecountyarts.org or https://peterfletcher.com.