by Wayne DeMello
Photos: Vance Kitaoka
The Fullerton Guitar Orchestra, one of the first classical guitar orchestras in the United States, performed for the Iolani community and the general public on Tuesday, April 26. Under the direction of David Grimes, the orchestra has become a leader in the field and is one of the premier instrumental ensembles of California State University, Fullerton.
They performed a short concert in the afternoon and a full program in the evening. The audience was entranced by the beautiful and unusual sounds produced by the orchestra - from consonant harp-like melodies to full brassy dissonant chords. The dynamic range and technique of the ensemble was amazing.
An added treat was the appearance of "Triada," a brilliant guitar trio composed of three brothers from Bulgaria, Nikola, Petar and Vasil Chekardzhikov, who are mainstays of the orchestra as well. They played some arrangements, showing their grasp of their musicality and virtuosity.
The group was greeted with a standing ovation at the conclusion of the evening program, which elicited two wonderful encores for the audience.
