"Becker and Bianculli have techniques that are beyond reproach. They eschew bright colors and a brash performance style, and they seem most comfortable with being mellow and quietly insinuating. Indeed, that's the sort of music that dominates this program. Catgut Flambo is a great stressbuster, and I'm sure something of a triumph for two guitarists who are not only colleagues but friends. The excellent production and engineering are by Gregory K. Squires." Raymond Tuttle Fanfare September/October 1999 "It was an evening of serious but buoyant music, encompassing the works of guitarist-composers from the 16th century to the present, and requiring a masterful array of virtuoso techniques from both players." Weslea Sidon Bar Harbor Times "The stylish, elegant playing of these artists is bound to win friends for this music wherever there are listeners who relish the rare and beautiful." Explorations V Atlanta Audio Society Since 1976, Harris Becker and Pasquale Bianculli have been both friends and musical partners. It was during that year when they performed their first recital as a duo while students of Jerry Willard. As Guitar x 2, they have been featured artists and teachers in schools and on recital series throughout the New York area. In 2002, composer/guitarist Carlo Domeniconi composed "Long Island Suite, op. 101" for the duo, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Long Island Guitar Festival. In 2005, composer, Hayley Savage composed "Dodecaphonica" for the duo. In addition to classical music, they also enjoy jazz, world music and the Beatles. "Catgut Flambo" has been heard on WNYC-FM in New York, Connecticut Public Radio, Radio Kerry in Ireland, and Radio Canada. Pat and Harris, along with Kathleen McDonald, began “A Midsummer Music Dream/ Songe d’été en musique”, a festival they began in 2006 in rural Quebec. Visit their web site at: www.midsummermusiquebec.com HARRIS BECKER, guitarist and lutenist is an active soloist, chamber musician, educator and adjudicator. Performances have taken him throughout the United States, Europe, South America, Mexico and Canada. New York performances include Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Becker has premiered many new works for solo guitar and guitar in ensembles. Composers who have dedicated works to him include Raoul Pleskow, Howard Rovics and the microtonal composer, Johnny Reinhard. The Lakeville Journal, CT reviews Becker’s performance... “Mr. Becker played these pieces {Bach Lute Suite} with fine musicianship and style...” Director of Guitar Studies at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Mr. Becker is Founder and Director of the Long Island Guitar Festival, which just completed its tenth season. In 1997, the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs selected Mr. Becker to be part of Florida's Artist Residency program, giving lecture/demonstrations on the history of the guitar, including performances on the lute and Baroque guitar. Mr. Becker has been on the music faculties of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and Director of Music for Mixed Ensembles at the International Institute for Chamber Music at the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich. Mr. Becker will soon release a CD of solo guitar music. During the 2001-2, season Mr. Becker presented two series of lectures, “Exploring Music” and Aspects of 20th Century American Music at the Bruce Museum of Art in Greenwich, Connecticut. In the summer of 2001 Mr. Becker participated in the Summer Chamber Music Festival at Long Island University giving master classes and a concert with the Pierrot Consort and at the “III International Guitar Festival Pro-musica/SESC” in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. His transcriptions and editions are published by T.D. Ellis Music Publishing. PAT BIANCULLI has been heard in concert across the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. In 1983, he made his New York solo debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Tim Page, of the New York Times, describing the performance said, “…a sensitive musician…he juxtaposed workmanlike playing with passages of real inspiration”. Of his Nocturnal by Benjamin Britten …”{He} was true to the works improvisatory quality, calling up some ominous, shimmering overtones from the instrument”. Pat began playing the guitar at the age of 13 under Joseph Cassano. His earliest musical influence was his father, Philip, an accomplished woodwind player and jazz musician. In 1972, he began intensive study in classical guitar at the Guitar Workshop in Oyster Bay, NY under Jerry Willard and Edgard Dana, Other teachers and coaches have included Alexandre Lagoya, Angel Romero and Timothy Walker. He received his M. Mus. degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1981. That year he also performed for the legendary guitarist, Andres Segovia, in Granada, Spain. He has been on the faculties of Dowling College and the Rocky Ridge Music Center in Colorado and has taught at the Edna Manley School of the Arts in Kingston, Jamaica, performing throughout that country. Currently, he is on the faculty of C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University and the United Nations International School. He has written two books; “101 Tips and Tricks for the Acoustic Guitar” and “Learn Folk Guitar with the Music of John Denver” published by Cherry Lane Music. He performs regularly in duo with his wife, Kathleen McDonald He recently released "Hill of Slane -Psalms, Sonatas & Sojourns" with Ms. McDonald, also available on CD BABY.