Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo is a classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of virtuosity and musicality for over 40 years. The duo was founded in 1976 by Michael Newman and Laura Oltman, two accomplished guitarists who met while studying at the Yale School of Music. Michael Newman was born in New York City in 1943 and began playing the guitar at the age of 7. He studied with renowned guitarists such as Aaron Shearer and Julian Bream and went on to win numerous awards, including the prestigious Andres Segovia International Guitar Competition. Laura Oltman was born in Pittsburgh in 1952 and started playing the guitar at the age of 10. She studied with Oscar Ghiglia and Sharon Isbin and won the first prize in the Guitar Foundation of America Competition. Newman and Oltman first met in 1975 while studying at the Yale School of Music. They quickly discovered a shared passion for the guitar and began performing together as a duo. In 1976, they officially formed the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo and began touring extensively throughout the United States and Europe. The duo's repertoire is diverse and includes works by classical composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, as well as contemporary composers such as Steve Reich and John Corigliano. They have also commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary composers, including Paul Moravec, Lowell Liebermann, and Dušan Bogdanović. Over the years, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. They have also been featured on numerous radio and television programs, including NPR's Performance Today and CBS Sunday Morning. In addition to their performances, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo is also committed to education and outreach. They have conducted masterclasses and workshops at universities and music schools around the world and have been artists-in-residence at institutions such as the University of Notre Dame and the University of Denver. Throughout their career, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo has received numerous awards and accolades. In 1987, they were the first guitarists to receive the prestigious "Artists International Award" from the National Endowment for the Arts. They have also been awarded the "Distinguished Alumni Award" from the Yale School of Music and the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Guitar Foundation of America. In 2016, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo celebrated their 40th anniversary with a special concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert featured works by Bach, Beethoven, and contemporary composers such as Dušan Bogdanović and Paul Moravec. The duo was joined on stage by several guest artists, including flutist Carol Wincenc and cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio. Today, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo continues to inspire audiences with their virtuosic performances and commitment to education and outreach. They remain one of the most respected and beloved classical guitar duos in the world, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians to come.

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