Yamandu Costa w/ Richard Scofano
Saturday, April 16, 2022 7:30 pm
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
“One of Brazil’s all-time greatest geniuses,” Yamandu Costa breathes through the 7-string guitar with mind-blowing virtuosity and heartfelt musicality. Joining him will be the award-winning Richard Scofano on bandoneon.
Yamandu Costa, 7-string guitar virtuoso, was born in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He began his guitar studies with his father Algacir Costa, band leader of “Os Fronteiriços”, when he was 7 years old. Later, he perfected his technique with Lúcio Yanel, Argentine virtuoso who was then settled in Brazil. When he was 17, he played for the first time in São Paulo at “Circuito Cultural Banco do Brasil” (BB Cultural Tour). From then on he was recognized as one of the most gifted guitar players of Brazil. The music documentary by Finnish film maker Mika Kaurismaki, called “Brasileirinho” on “choro music” also featured Yamandu Costa, which gave him additional international attention.
Yamandu has created his very particular style of compositions, somewhere between the typical music from the south of Brazil, Choro and Samba with finger acrobatic like passages, high tempo and yet very delicate and melodious pieces. The recognition he has earned throughout the years reveals what he can offer the audience – recreation of the magic of music – once from his fingers the music he plays travels through his body and soul and is almost miraculously transformed. Yamandu is a guitar player, composer and arranger that does not fit into a single music style, yet he creates his own when he combines all of them playing his 7-string guitar.
Richard Scofano is a superlative master of the bandoneón, born in Paso de los Libres, Argentina. Descendant of three generations of bandoneón players, Scofano is considered one of today’s most important bandoneonists. Beyond his recognized stunning virtuosity at his instrument, Scofano is also an accomplished composer (creator of the New Chamamé), arranger, producer and musical director. Scofano always nurtured interest for the music of neighboring countries Paraguay and Brazil, and is passionate about the study of European classical traditions. In 2015, he wrote the score for This is Tango Now’s production of Carmen de Buenos Aires, a 90-minute work inspired on the music of G. Bizet. In October 2016, Scofano premiered his Concerto for Bandoneón and Orchestra, the IBERÁ, with the Oistrakh Symphony Orchestra of Chicago under conductor Mina Zikri. At the same time, he released the CD ESTACIONES, with original compositions interpreted by Duo Scofano Minetti. On this recording, Scofano debuts his original style of ‘Nuevo Chamamé’. With over thirty years of professional work, Scofano has taken his music literally throughout the world and is held in high esteem by fellow musicians and audiences alike.
About the Omni Foundation
The Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts is entering its 40th year of bringing the world’s finest acoustic guitarists to the San Francisco Bay Area. Although the series presents acoustic guitarists of all genres, such as flamenco, jazz and fingerstyle, the primary focus is on the classical guitar. The series is the longest running and most extensive guitar series in the United States and is considered to be one of the foremost guitar series in the world.
Omni presents not only the most celebrated virtuosi of our time but also the emerging artists and stars of tomorrow. The concerts take place in San Francisco’s most prestigious concert venues, both intimate and grand and great efforts are made to insure accessibility to the entire Bay Area community, particularly students.
The Omni Foundation, under the artistic direction of its founder, Richard Patterson, continues to provide a significant position for the classical guitar in the vibrant cultural scene of San Francisco. With the support of serious guitar enthusiasts and the City of San Francisco, Omni presents over 20 exceptional guitarists each season. We hope you will join us and experience the brilliance, beauty and potential of this exquisite instrument, the guitar.
Visit www.omniconcerts.com to find more information about the series and how to become a supporter.