From Brazil with love

The rafters of the old church at Neskowin’s Camp Winema might be shaking when the Brasil Guitar Duo presents a concert this Sunday, Nov. 6.

Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora perform a blend of traditional and Brazilian works with what Classical Guitar magazine calls a “maturity of musicianship and technical virtuosity.”

Since the two met in Sao Paulo as teenage students 20 years ago, they have been committed to performing music playing the guitar. This goal has led them to premiering a concerto for two guitars with the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra in 2012. They premiered the same work the next year in the US.

In 2014, they joined cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Carlos Prieto for the world premiere of “El Arco y La Lira” by the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer in Havana. A recording of Brouwer’s complete works for two guitars was nominated for a Latin Grammy award in 2016.

Lora earned a master’s degree from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He is currently working on a PhD at the University of Southern California.

Luiz received his master’s degree from Mannes College in the New School for Music and his PhD from the Manhattan School of Music. He is director of chamber music at CUNY-Hunter College and the head of guitar studies at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Sunday’s concert begins at 3 pm at Camp Winema, located three miles north of Neskowin off Highway 101. Tickets, available at the door by cash or check, are $30 for adults aged 30 and older, $20 for guests aged 18 through 29, and $10 for kids aged 17 and younger. For more information, go to neskowinchambermusic.com or call 503-965-6499.