Santa Fe Guitar Quartet
From Santa Fe, Argentina, the Santa Fe Guitar Quartet is an innovative
guitar ensemble whose repertoire ranges from Baroque and Classical works
to Tango and music with roots in South American folklore. The group is
strongly committed to the performance of Latin American music,
especially the works of Astor Piazzolla. The Santa Fe Guitar Quartet has
been touring internationally since 1989, both in recital and with
orchestra. Their full sound resembles that of a small string orchestra
and has been described the Washington Post as "big, warm, round, and
clear." The Quartet's compact disc recordings are available on Klavier
Records and have been reviewed enthusiastically by Fanfare, American
Record Guide, Classical Guitar Magazine, and Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
The Santa Fe Guitar Quartet has performed for sold-out houses throughout
North and South America including Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall
at Carnegie Hall. The Quartet merges the talents of an American from
New Mexico and three Argentineans from Santa Fe. The Quartet was
awarded "First Prize of Excellence" by the Argentinian Institute for
Excellence in 1997.
Mariano Fontana
Born in Rosario, in the province of Santa Fe, Agentina, Fontana was
introduced to the traditional rhythms and harmonies of South American
folk music by his uncle, "Caco" Fontana, an accomplished folk guitarist
and tango enthusiast. Fontana continued his studies in guitar with
Daniel Lopez; South American folklore with Roberto Lovrincevich;
performance practice with Jorge Martinez Zarato; and chamber music and
guitar with Nestor Ausqui. Fontana has participated in several
festivals and guitar competitions throughout Latin America. He has also
accompanied many tango singers as a member of traditional bands
throughout Argentina, and his performances have often been broadcast on
radio and television. Fontana also holds a Doctorate degree in law from
the National University in Rosario.
Gabriel Lorenzi
Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, Lorenzi began studying classical guitar at
the age of eight. By age 12, he was playing Latin American folklore
rhythms as well as classical guitar. He studied music and theory at the
Universidad Nacional del Litoral and the Vera Cruz Institute in Santa
Fe, and studied guitar under such maestros as Abel Carlevaro and Eduardo
Issac. For the past 11 years, he has been teaching music at the Alte.
Brown School in Santa Fe. Lorenzi is also proficient on the charango, a
South American folk instrument similar to the mandolin, and promotes
performance of the regional folk music.
Miguel Piva
Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, Piva was a first prize recipient in
Argentina's renowned Mozarteum Guitar Competition. He has also
developed a wide range of special effects and percussive techniques that
are essential for projecting the special character of Latin American
guitar music. He studied guitar, chamber music, performance practice
and harmony with Nestor Ausqui, and also worked with Guido Santorsola on
the analysis of the guitar quartet repertory. He has participated in
many master classes, having performed on several occasions for the
Uruguayan maestro Abel Carlevaro. He is a devoted researcher of the
music of Astor Piazzolla, especially those works he composed for his
Quintet for New Tango.
Eric Slavin
The only North American member of the group, Slavin was born in
Hiroshima, Japan, on a U.S. Marine base. As a child, he studied piano
under the guidance of the Hungarian pianist Agi Rado, but turned to the
guitar after hearing the recordings of the master guitarist Andres
Segovia. He earned his B.A. in Music from the American University,
where he studied guitar with the late John Marlow, a member of the
Washington Guitar Quintet. He also holds an M.A. in music from New
Mexico State University, where he presented a thesis on the modern
tangos of Astor Piazzolla. In South America, Slavin studied guitar with
Abel Carlevaro, and performance practice and chamber music with Nestor
Ausqui.