 (picture
by Wolf Hoffman)
MURIEL THE GUITARIST
Combining imaginative playing and impeccable classical technique, Muriel Anderson developed a style all her own that has earned her a legion of fans around the
globe. Her compositions draw from a startling variety of sources, showing the passion for music, oneness with her instrument, and gentle sense of humor which have
endeared her to audiences worldwide. She has released seven CD's in the US and three in Japan, two videos, and has authored numerous articles and instructional
books. Her "Heartstrings" cassette traveled as far as outer space, accompanying the astronauts on a space shuttle mission.
MURIEL THE COMPOSER
In addition to her solo pieces, Muriel has composed music for guitar and orchestra, music for guitar and violin for Chicago's virtuoso Rachel Barton, and has
recorded a CD of music for guitar and cello entitled "Theme for Two Friends" with cellist Julie Adams. She has written title tracks for four albums including the new
release LIVING OUT A DREAM for guitar and cello by Julie Adams and Richard Smith. She has just premiered music for guitar and
women's choir with the Chicago-based Vox Caelestis, and is currently working on a quintet for the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.
BIOGRAPHY
Muriel Anderson was raised in a musical family in Downers Grove, Illinois. Her mother taught piano and her grandfather had played saxophone in John Philip
Sousa's band. Her mother often played a piano ragtime standard called "Nola," so Muriel learned it on her guitar.
Years later, she took that song to the National Guitar Picking Championships and became the first nylon-string guitarist and first female guitarist to win.
She is still the only woman to hold the title. Muriel fell in love with the guitar at an early age and learned every style available to her, culminating in
classical guitar study at DePaul University. She went on to study with classical virtuoso Christopher Parkening and with Nashville legend Chet Atkins.
She has composed music since about age 6, and has written music for guitar and orchestra as well as songs, solo compositions, and her new work for
guitar and cello. |
