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HARRIS BECKER has had a rich and varied career as a guitarist and lutenist. As a young musician studying the classical guitar he had a fascination with improvisation, which led him to explore jazz. He also had a strong interest in contemporary music, which offered him the opportunity to work closely with composers and premiere many solo and ensemble pieces throughout his career. Among the composers who have dedicated works to him are Carlo Domeniconi, Hayley Savage, Raoul Pleskow, Howard Rovics, microtonal composer Johnny Reinhard, Alan Hirsh, Michael Frassetti, Joseph Russo, Richard Iacona and Michael Spiroff. Harris Becker has performed extensively both as a soloist and chamber musician giving concerts and master classes throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Mexico, Asia and Canada. Concerts and master classes and include Radford University International Guitar Festival, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Mannes Guitar Seminar, Bristol Guitar Society (UK), Mahidol University (Bangkok), U.S Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Bermuda Guitar Festival and the Saigon International Guitar Festival. In 1993 Mr. Becker founded the Long Island Guitar Festival, of which the New York Times wrote: "The "Long Island" in the festival title clearly refers to its location and origins, rather than to its scope"(2014). He has been a faculty member at Long Island University (Director of Guitar Studies), Nassau Community College and at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Harris Becker is co-founder and artistic director of the summer music festival in rural Quebec "Songe d'été en Musique". Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary. His recordings include "Catgut Flambo" with guitarist Pasquale Bianculli, a solo CD "Passing Through and a new CD with the Artesian Guitar Quartet." He is part of the Becker/Lessard Guitar Duo and the Artesian Guitar Quartet. “Becker’s performance of this demanding work (from Kakadu) a depiction of one of Australia’s national parks – is lyrical and imaginative” Raymond Tuttle, Classical.net.
“Bach - BWV 998… the lilting prelude, the masterful building of the fugue and bright, fast-flowing allegro all pose great difficulties in voicing and positional play that Harris dealt with carefully and easily.” Bristol Guitar Society (UK)
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