Classical guitarist Peter Segal has distinguished himself as a master of five centuries of guitar music. His repertoire encompasses solo works from the early 16th century literature for the four string renaissance guitar, through the baroque (Sanz, De Murcia) and 19th century masters (Sor and Giuliani), to contemporary composers including Britten, Villa-Lobos, Ginastera, and Rodrigo. His recitals frequently include historical instruments appropriate to each period represented.

      In addition to diplomas from the Accademia Chigiana and Conservatorio Antonio Vivaldi (Italy) and University of Sanitiago de Compostela (Spain), Dr. Segal earned a Masters Degree in Music History and Doctorate of Musical Arts at Temple University in Philadelphia.

      Peter Segal has joined with the Philadelphia Orchestra as soloist and in symphony performances at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, the Mann Music Center, and in Washington’s Kennedy Center. He has also been featured with local Philadelphia ensembles including the Concerto Soloists, the Amerita String Orchestra, the Davidsbund Chamber Ensemble, The Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, and the new music ensemble Relâche, as well as the Trenton and Lancaster Symphony Orchestras. He has played in almost every state in the Union, including Alaska, both as recitalist and soloist with orchestra. He made his European debut in London in 1969, and his equally acclaimed New York debut came nine years later. More recently, he performed in recitals in Spain, Hong Kong, and the Russian Far East in addition to national tours. Among his many awards is a Solo Recitalist Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

      Past seasons’ performances have included thematically unified programs such as an all-Jewish program of music for solo guitar, a program dedicated to 20th century guitar sonatas, and a large-scale, multi-media work commissioned by Segal title Man With the Blue Guitar, based on the poem by Wallace Stevens and composed by Robert Capanna featuring narrator, flute, viola, cello and guitar.

      Projects for 2001 include a complete performance of Schubert’s masterwork, Winterreise, set for mezzo soprano and guitar, and a concert and recording honoring the centenary of the birth of Joaquín Rodrigo, for mezzo soprano, violin and guitar.

      Agustin Leon Ara was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, where he began studying music with his parents at the Conservatory in that city. Later on, he studied at the Royal College of Music of London with Albert Sammons, Cecil Aronowitz and Alan Loveday, and in Brussels with Andre Gertler and Louis Poulet. Prize winner in the International Contests of Darmstadt (Contemporary Music), Henri Wieniawski, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, Leon Ara began a brilliant international career as a violin soloist in collaboration with prestigious orchestras and distinguished conductors.

      Among the composers who have dedicated works to him are Joaquin Rodrigo and Grazyna Bacewicz, and the most distinguished Spanish contemporary composers, several of whose Concertos he has premiered.

      As professor of violin, Agustin Leon Ara has made an outstanding contribution to the training of musicians in Spain and abroad. He is professor of violin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, the Conservatory of Barcelona, "Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth" of Belgium, "The Joven Orquesta Nacional" of Spain, and frequently is a guest teacher in summer courses, most notably at "Mdsica en Compostela" where he is assistant director. He is regularly invited to give classes at the Conservatory of Tenerife and the courses in Morella and Segorbe.

      Leon Ara maintains a full schedule as maestro and international soloist, frequently performing chamber music in duo with such distinguished pianists as Rosa Sabater, Jose Tordesillas, and at present with Graham Jackson, with a classical as well as contemporary repertoire.

      Crowning his brilliant career as a soloist and chamber music performer, professor and member of the Academy, Agustin Leon Ara is the founder and director of a chamber music orchestra which bears the name of Joaquin Rodrigo.

      He has also made various recordings for DECCA, EMI, ARIOLA, EURODISC, PHONIC, and PHILIPS. Outstanding among these CD's are Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Estio for violin and orchestra, with the London Symphony Orchestra for EMI Classics, the complete works for violin by Joaquin Rodrigo for CPO, and the Canconeta by the same composer, with the orchestra of St. Martins in the Fields.