On Sunday, February 19, at 4:00 p.m., Spanish harpsichordist Yago Mahugo will visit St. James to present a recital. Yago studied in Spain and Germany, earning an MA in harpsichord and early piano, and later earned a PhD in music. He has studied with the renowned artists Christophe Rousset, Malcolm Bilsom, and Kenneth Gilbert, among others, and has released several critically acclaimed CD recordings, some as soloist, and some with Impetus Madrid Baroque Ensemble, a group that performs on period instruments, and which he founded and conducts. He has signed a multi-year recording contract with Brilliant Classics, but also frequently performs for European television and radio audiences, and has made several performances available via iTunes and YouTube. Yago has won prizes at international performance competitions as harpsichordist--including those at Budapest and Bruges, the latter considered the most prestigious in the field of early music, that is, music composed before 1800. He is professor at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia and the Teresa Berganza Conservatory, both in Madrid.

Mahugo is remarkable in another way. Several years ago he suffered a massive stroke which left one side of his body paralyzed. Though doctors said he would never be able to play again, he fought back and regained his musical abilities. He will be making his North American debut at Carnegie Hall, New York, on February 14, will perform with Impetus back in Spain in April, and will perform at several concerts in Brazil in June.

Don't miss hearing this exceptional musician at St. James on February 19.