Michael J. Silvestri - 1953 - 2009 LIMINGTON MAINE -- born Oct. 3, 1953, in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., died on Feb. 9, 2009, at his home in Limington, after fighting a brave battle with lung cancer. He was the son of Joseph and Alba Silvestri. Mr. Silvestri was raised in Deer Park, N.Y., and moved to Maine in 1977. In 1979, he married Susan Joseph and they resided in Limington where he pursued a career as a professional musician. As a classical guitarist, Mr. Silvestri performed throughout New England in both solo and ensemble venues, on radio, public television, private recitals, and for lecture demonstrations for public and private schools. His extensive repertoire enabled him to perform in varied locations including the Montauk Yacht Club in New York and in Kennebunkport, for a private function attended by the then Vice President of the United States, the honorable George H. W. Bush. Besides performing, Mr. Silvestri loved to teach all guitar styles and would teach students at Buckdancer's Choice, in Portland, as well as at his home studio in Limington. In 2007, he was named by Billboard Magazine as one of the six top independent artists in the Northeast. _______________________________________ Having known Michael for the past 5 years I can tell you that not only was he a very talented guy but he was simply one of the best human beings I ever knew. His empathy for others was remarkable. His ability to give to others and to show respect for everyone was obvious to anyone who knew him. I take great pride in presenting his music to the world. He will be missed. Dean Sciarra - ItsAboutMusic.com |
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Christmas in New England is a classic collection of the best holiday tunes played on solo acoustic guitar. The perfect and personal expression of the yuletide emotion. Play Hark the Herald Angels Sing Play What Child is This Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. Silent Night 2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing 3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 4. Angels We Have Heard on High 5. Oh Come All Ye Faithful 6. Deck The Halls 7. Canon 8. What Child Is This 9. The First Noel 10. We Three Kings 11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 12. I Saw Three Ships 13. Away In A Manger 14 Good King Wenceslas 15. O Christmas Tree  | | The piece " For Olga" was rated 9 out of 10 points by TAXI for music marketability, arrangement, production, engineering, musicianship. Great piece! Great Performance! Great solo guitar piece. - TAXI Feb 2008 # 1 on American Idol Underground - the week of Feb 20th 2008 "Its a mesmerizing 18 song album of solo acoustic instrumental guitar music" - The Night is Young - Portland Maine - Press Herald - Thursday, Sept 27th, 2007 (re "Original Compositions" Play To Jorge Play Latin Fiesta Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. For a Blue Mom 2. For Corey 3. To Jorge 4. Latin No. 1 (OP 2004) 5. Latin No. 2 (OP 2004) 6. Latin No. 3 (OP 2004) 7. Estudio 8. Latin Fiesta 9. Winter's Lullabye 10. For Juan S. 11. Estudio (OP 2004) 12. Carousel 13. Queen of Swords 14. Vision 15. Eyes Meet 16. For Olga 17. Waltz 18. A Piece |
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Play Swallowtail Jig Play Star of Bethlehem Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. Cat in the Corner 2. Swallowtail Jig 3. Whiskey Before Breakfast 4. Red Haired Lad 5. When a Man's in Love 6. Saint Claire's Hornpipe 7. Star of Bethlehem 8. Haste to the Wedding 9. Drowsy Maggie 10. The Dusty Miller 11. Shebeg Sheemore 12. Planxty George 13. Rights of Man 14. Young Tim Murphy 15. Wind That Shakes the Barley
Available for download only | | Play Rossiniana No. 1 Play Leyenda Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. Andantinon Sostenuto 2. Scherzo con Moto 3. Finale 4. Rossiniana No. 1 5. Theme and Variations 6. Recuerdos de la Alhambra 7. Capricho Arabe 8. Spanish Danza No. 5 9. Leyenda 10. Romanza 11. El Colibiri
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Play Fugue in A Minor Play Allemande Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. Fugue in A Minor 2. Prelude - E Major Suite 3. Gavette en Rondeau 4. Gigue - E Major Suite 5. Courante - Cello Suite 6. Bouree 1 and 2 7. Prelude - Suite in E Minor 8. Allemande 9. Courante 10. Sarabande 11. Bouree 12. Gigue 13. Minuette 1 and 2 14. Prelude 15. Fugue 16. Allegro
Available for download only | | Play Spirit Dance Play For Lily Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. Grand Overture 2. From Then to Now 3. Spirit Dance 4. Woodland Moss 5. Restless 6. Study 5 in B Minor 7. Teardrops 8. Danza 9. For Lily 10. Intro - Theme and Variations 11. Softer to Love 12. Adelita 13. Lagrima 14. Marieta 15. For Olga
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Original classical guitar compositions for one and two guitars that beautifully captures the spirit of the season. Play Peace in Flight Play Angel of Innocence Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: 1. A Romance 2. When Eyes Meet 3. Peace In Flight 4. Queen of Swords 5. Afternoon in the Herb Garden 6. Dance of Temptation 7. Angel of Innocence 8. Vision 9. Everlasting Desire 10. Spirit Mist II 11. Waiting at the Beach 12. Timeless Evening 13. Parting Spirits II 14. Floating Roses
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| Michael Silvestri was selected by the editors of Billboard Magazine as one of the top 6 independent artists in the Northeast for 2007 - and one of the 6 finalists to perform at DiskMakers IMWS showcase at Crash Mansion in New York City. The piece "For Olga" - (from The Original Compositions CD) was selected to be on a compilation disk used by Disk Makers.
Guitarist Michael Silvestri has performed throughout New England in both solo and ensemble situations on radio, public television, private recitals and lecture demonstrations for public and private schools. His varied repertoire has enabled him to perform from the Montauk Yacht Club in New York to Kennebunkport, Maine for a private function for the (then) Vice President of the United States, the honourable George Bush. A participant in master classes with Jorge Morel, Rey de la Torre and Manuel Barrueco, Michael began his studies at age ten and went on to study at The Guitar Workshop in New York. He later attended Hofstra University. A member of the Guitar Foundation of America, he has composed, performed and produced music for commercial broadcast and nonbroadcast situations and has been teaching privately for over twenty years. He has recently been included on the panel of judges for the classical guitar competitions held at the University of Southern Maine. "My passion for music and the guitar has been a very important part of my life. I have lived here in Maine for over twenty five years teaching, playing and, when time permits, composing music. I Have been fortunate enough to perform in master classes with a few of the finest guitarists in the world. This has given me a greater knowledge of music, performance and teaching experience." |