Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 7:00 pm

Author Glenn Kurtz will read passages from his bestselling book, "Practicing: A Musician's Return to Music," and classical guitarist Paul Smith will perform a selection of contemporary music for guitar.

In this book, Glenn Kurtz takes us on a journey of hope, loss, and surprising return. Telling the story of his career as a classical guitarist - from his first lessons at the age of eight to his acceptance at the elite New England Conservatory of Music - Kurtz lets the reader into the passionate, hidden world of making and performing music, revealing the elation, the self-doubt, and the intense determination that define the work of practicing.

Paul Smith is an active soloist, chamber musician, and composer devoted to the promotion of the guitar. A graduate of the The Juilliard School, Mr. Smith studied under Sharon Isbin where he received his Master's Degree after receiving his Bachelor's of Music from the Mannes College studying under Frederic Hand. Recent premieres and commissions include Robert Cuckson's Guitar Concerto performed with the Mannes Orchestra's contemporary program under David Hayes, and Terry Champlin's "Music at the Close" for solo guitar premiered at The Monkey. Mr. Smith has recently appeared throughout New York in Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Columbia University, The Morgan Library and Museum, The Metropolitan Museum, and the Society for Ethical Culture. His Voice and Guitar Ensemble, the "Janus Duo" with Tenor Daniel Molkentin, has been featured at Vassar College specializing in commissioning new works. As a budding composer, Mr. Smith has written for various ensembles including the Mannes Guitar Ensemble. Recent compositions include "Songs of the Wildflower" for High Voice and Marimba on texts by William Blake commissioned by the Aurora Borealis Duo, a "Fantasy on a poem by Issa", and a Piano Sonata. He has coached with harpsichordist Lionel Party and Yehuda Hanani at the Bachanalia Baroque Festival in Chatham, New York and several masterclass appearances with Evangelos and Liza, Scott Tenant, Roland Dyens, Benjamin Verdery, and Oscar Ghiglia.

Phone for more information: 212-563-5454
Email for more information: infoNY@hosfeltgallery.com
Website: www.hosfeltgallery.com