Jorge Morel
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Jorge Morel (born May 9, 1931) is a classical guitarist and composer from Argentina. Jorge Morel, born in Argentina and now living and working in New York City, has performed for thousands of international audiences in the last three decades incorporating brilliant technique, a uniquely personal style and sophisticated artistic expression. As impressive as his record as a performing artist is, Morel's creative contributions as a composer have achieved the respect and recognition of his peers and established his position as a leader in the ongoing development of the classical guitar.
Through his original compositions and arrangements, Jorge Morel has substantially added to the existing repertoire for classical guitar while consistently challenging traditional, technical, and stylistic limitations.
His mastery of the technical combine with the intimate knowledge of the physical and acoustical characteristics of the instrument have resulted in an innovative approach to the complex task of composing for the classical guitar. His ability to blend his love for the Latin American rhythm textures and sophisticated jazz harmonies permeates his work with a musical imagination that is all his own, attested to by the many artists worldwide who have recorded his works.
Names such as John Williams, The Assad Brothers, Pepe and Angel Romero, Christopher Parkening, David Russel, David Starobin, Barbosa Lima, Ricardo Iznaola, Eliot Fisk, Krzysztof Pelech, Hillary Fields, The Hanser McClellan Duo, have performed and recorded many of Morel's compositions and arrangements, including Guitar Concertos, Guitar and String Quartets, solos, duets, and Guitar Quartets as well as fine performance of his Suite Del Sur by the Prague Quartet.
In addition to the many artists who have recorded his compositions, Morel himself has also created an extensive library of solo recordings on both major and independent labels such as RCA, Decca, Guitar Masters, Sesac and Luthier Music.
Jorge is also recognized for his commitment to the development and exposure of new talent, making his knowledge and experience accessible to serious students of guitar through master classes and private instruction.
Acting in the role of mentor, he has offered several former students the opportunity to join him in live performance, lending his name and support to help launch a gifted young professional's career. Jorge Morel made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1961 followed by appearances at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Wigmore Hall in London, National Hall in Dublin and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. His performances have been enthusiastically received in many countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Singapore, Germany and more.
Morel's musical career began in his native country of Argentina and his father taught him the rudiments of classical guitar at age seven. He went on to study advanced guitar at the internationally recognized Academy of Professor Pablo Escobar in Buenos Aires and after graduating joined Mr Escobar in radio and concert performances.
Morel left Argentina to perform in Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba, where he recorded his first solo LP and was featured in a weekly TV show. Vladimir Bobri, then President of the Classical Guitar Society in New York, lent his recognition and support to Morel after hearing him perform in Puerto Rico. This led to concert engagements in California and Hawaii and Morel's eventual debut at Carnagie Hall. At this time, he recorded his second LP for Decca Records and subsequently recorded three more albums.
After moving to New York City, Morel performed nightly at the jazz lover's haven, The Village Gate, owned by Art D'Lugoff who became his manager for a period of three years. During his performances at the Village Gate, he shared the bill with jazz legends such as Erroll Garner, Stan Kenton, Herbie Mann and many others of great popularity. Around this time, Morel met Chet Atkins and established what was to become a life long friendship. Chet demonstrated his admiration for Jorge in a very tangible way when he helped to arrange for the recording of another album with RCA Victor. Mr. Morel was represented by Columbia Artists Management for a total of 7 years throughout the 1970s and toured all of North America and Canada performing approximately 70 concerts a year.
Morel continued to solidify his reputation as an outstanding artist and composer with the premier of Suite Del Sur, a concerto for guitar and orchestra, which he performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta. He continued his study of composition for a number of years with the late Rudy Schramm, respected teacher, author, conductor and arranger.
[edit] External links
- Homepage www.jorgemorel.net
- Some photos of LP covers (Oviatt Library Digital Collections)
[edit] Interviews
- Artist Profile: Jorge Morel Nov 21, 2006 (Classical Guitar Alive!) mp3
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