THE VISIT.

One of the coolest things about getting involved with Tahoe Music Alive is the opportunity—the privilege, really—to host world-class musicians in your home. Board members like me, and many of our volunteers, have availed themselves of this opportunity and have been richly rewarded. Here’s my story.

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In June, 2025, Rafael Aguirre, a much-traveled rising star in the classical guitar world, came to play a concert for TMA in Incline Village, where Debi and I live. It was only logical that he should stay with us (the venue was right down the street at St. Patrick’s Church), and that I play guitar, too, although nowhere in the vicinity of the firmament in which Rafael does his work. And so it was that he came to stay two nights and days with us, a visit that was to offer a unique view into the world of a stellar musician.

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Born in Majorca, Spain, Rafael Aguirre is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, winner of 13 top prizes including the prestigious Tárrega Competition and the Pro Musicis Award in New York. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Hochschule Robert Schumann in Düsseldorf, he has performed in nearly 50 countries and was named Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) for his distinguished international career.

 

Rafael had come to TMA from his concerts with the San Jose Symphony and the symphony in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This was typical of his touring schedule, as he has played in so many countries in his young career. When he arrived exhausted late in the morning, we asked what his pleasure might be, as he was to perform the following afternoon, and there was time for showing him around. He asked only to go to bed and sleep. After that, he said he’d want to practice, and we weren’t to fuss over him. That was our first look. The next day was concert day.

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We got to know him better the next day. Rafael is an engaging young man, warm, open, always approachable—but dedicated to his art, as was abundantly apparent. It was the day of the concert, and he wanted only to practice and prepare. Rafael is one of just a few classical guitarists with extensive experience as both a soloist and as a player with orchestras. One year, he played the Concierto de Aranjuez 50 times with orchestras around the world. His repertoire ranges from Bach to contemporary composers, covering all the classical guitar repertoire you’d expect, plus new modernist pieces and even flamenco—a rare thing for a classical player, as the technique is so different. On this day, he was “in the woodshed,” preparing meticulously for the afternoon’s performance. We scarcely saw him. He told me later that he loves to practice and likes to sight-read a new piece every month or so. (I have never heard another musician say that, but, as they say, that’s how you get to Carnegie Hall—where, incidentally, he has played.)

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THE CONCERT.

The concert that afternoon was a marvel. Rafael is very expressive player, making full use of all the timbres of the classical guitar: “trumpets” at the bridge (as Segovia once said) all the way to harp tones above the sound hole, with harmonics ringing like bells gracing the romantic pieces. He played Bach, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Barrios, Paco de Lucia, Bonfa, and more. It was a triumph in a friendly space that needed no amplification: you could hear the soul of the guitar and the music. The TMA board hosted him for dinner at our home that night, and he put up with us. He was clearly exhausted at this point, but he soldiered on through the meal, ever gracious, and retired early.

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AN IMPROMPTU CONCERT.

The next day Rafael was to travel home to Mexico City, but not until nearly midnight, flying from Reno, so we had the day. He appeared for breakfast a new man: relaxed, happy, full of vim and vigor and ready to meet the world. After breakfast we drove him all the way around Lake Tahoe, bought him lunch, and showed him the sights. Lake Tahoe is one reason TMA attracts world-class talent (another is the chance to stay in local homes), and Rafael loved the tour, snapping away with his cellphone.

I had earlier mentioned to him that I had luckily acquired a top-shelf classical guitar, a “1A” instrument made in Madrid by Ignacio M. Rozas (ex-Ramirez, ex-Contreras) for professional concert players. He asked to see it, and that’s when the magic happened, right there in our living room. Rafael played three classical pieces and finished off with a lively bossa nova by Luis Bonfa.

 

I recorded this mini-concert and have posted the videos to TMA’s YouTube site here:

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RAFAEL AGUIRRE - SONATINA - Moreno Torroba - TORRE BERMEJA - Albeniz - 1991 ROZAS 

RAFAEL AGUIRRE - CAPRICHO CATALAN - Albeniz - 1991 ROZAS 

RAFAEL AGUIRRE - WALKING IN RIO - Bonfa - 1991 ROZAS 

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Rafael’s visit was a memory forever, and I treasure the videos—click the links and see for yourself!

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CARE TO JOIN US? At TMA we welcome volunteers to host our musicians. If you should care to play host, we know you’ll never regret it—and you’ll make your own indelible memories. Please contact us if you’d like to participate. 

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COMING UP. Fans of world-class music will want to catch the next TMA concerts. Don’t forget to tell your friends! The highest compliment we can receive is a referral.

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The Dolphins Quartet, July 2, 4:00-6:00 PM: four fresh faces from Juilliard full of ebullient classical music, plus pieces they’ve composed themselves. [insert link]

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George Cotsirilos Quartet, August 15, 7:00-9:00: sophisticated jazz guitar firmly rooted in the tradition while charting new courses for the instrument. Think of this as the opposite end of the guitar bookshelf from the classical world, and equally as mesmerizing. [insert link]

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Trio Bohémo, September 10 [time]: vibrant musicians from the Czech Republic who’ve been lighting up the concert stage worldwide. Violin, cello, and piano in the hands of three exciting young virtuosos.