The Austin Classical Guitar Society begins its 18th International Concert Series at 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012 with the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) in concert at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive.

Thirty-two years young in 2012-13, the LAGQ is one of the most multifaceted groups in any genre.  The LAGQ is comprised of four uniquely accomplished musicians bringing a new energy to the concert stage with programs ranging from Bluegrass to Bach.  Their inventive, critically acclaimed transcriptions of concert masterworks provide a fresh look at the music of the past, while their interpretations of works from the contemporary and world-music realms continually break new ground.  Programs including Latin, African, Far East, Irish, Folk and American Classics transport listeners around the world in a single concert experience.

In March of this year, the LAGQ played a series of concerts with guitar orchestras, featuring a new work by Kyoto-based composer/guitarist Shingo Fujii.  The piece, entitled “Shiki: Seasons of Japan,” was dedicated to the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Winner of a 2005 Grammy Award, their “Guitar Heroes” CD released on Telarc is a brilliant follow-up to their Grammy-nominated “LAGQ Latin.”  “Spin” (Telarc, Spring 2006) continues their explorations of jazz and contemporary music.  “LAGQ Brazil” (2007), including collaborations with vocalist Luciana Souza, was released to rave reviews, and their newest recording of the Rodrigo “Concierto Andaluz” and Sergio Assad’s “Interchange,” written specifically for them, was released on Telarc in Spring 2010, and quickly climbed to top spot on the Billboard charts.

"The LAGQ's performances in Austin have been some of our greatest highlights,” says ACGS Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Hinsley.  “From their Austin debut in 2005, to their amazing performance at Austin Goes Classical at the Long Center in 2010 when they performed with the Austin Symphony along side of their mentor Pepe Romero.  I can think of no greater ensemble to launch our 12-13 International Series."

The LAGQ concert is sponsored by a generous grant from the Louise Epstein and John Henry McDonald Trust.  Pre-Concert Dinner sponsorship is provided by Kendal and Ken Gladish.

The Austin Classical Guitar Society will offer a reservation-only, pre-concert dinner buffet at 5:30 pm on October 6 at Chez Zee American Bistro, located 1.5 miles from the concert venue, for $55 per person, including wine.  At the dinner, ACGS Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Hinsley will share his personal insights about the concert and performers.  Reservations may be made by calling ACGS at (512) 300-ACGS.  Concert tickets are sold separately.