BBC: Guitar Gives Classical Gems New Sparkle

By Laurence Peter, 4 May 2011.


Last week, we had an article by The Economist which briefly suggests that we are at the dawn of the next epoch of classical guitar.  This week, BBC interviews classical guitarist David Russell.

David Russell

In this article David explains why J.S. Bach's music is not just for the organ or harpsichord.  How the previous era of classical guitar greatness was heralded by Segovia, John Williams & Julian Bream.  How the tastes for classical guitar music has changed, and how multicultural exchanges have benefitted the classical guitar.

"The classical guitar repertoire would be impoverished were it not for the hundreds of transcriptions of music written originally for other instruments." - David Russell.

Modern compositions has contributed much to the recent classical guitar.  Popularity of electric guitars, jazz and acoustic guitars have infused the classical arena with new input and perspectives.


Cultural influences from performers such as, Carlo Domeniconi, Xuefei Yang, Eleftheria Kotzia, Keigo Fujii and Fiona Harrison have brought much to the table, as well as bringing the guitar to diverse populations.


David ends by giving some tips to guitars on how to memorize pieces.


Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13229108

The Economist: Fingersmith

By The Economist, 28 April 2011.


In the recent issue of The Economist, it has been suggested that the classical guitar is experiencing a revival.


This short article looks at how performers, technology, financial uncertainty, electric guitars and pop music are shaping the classical guitar scene.


Although its just a brief article, what intrigues me is why The Economist decides to do an article.

"The honesty of this way of music-making makes the guitar supreme. It’s so personal and delicate." - Milos Karadaglic

 I agree that the guitar is an extremely intimate instrument.  The classical guitar, with its nylon strings, warm sound and various techniques makes it all the more intimate and sensitive.


Check out the original article at: http://www.economist.com/node/18617908

MuseScore 1.0 Released!

MuseScore 1.0 is a new free music composition/notation tool that is available on Windows, OS X and Linux.  I believe that it was in testing for quite some time, so we should be expecting quite a polished product.

http://musescore.org/en

On their website, it boasts:

• WYSIWYG, notes are entered on a "virtual note sheet"
• Unlimited number of staves
• Up to four voices per staff
• Easy and fast note entry with your keyboard, mouse, or MIDI keyboard
• Integrated sequencer and FluidSynth software synthesizer
• Import and export of MusicXML and Standard MIDI Files
• Available for Windows, Mac and Linux
• Translated in 35 languages
• GNU GPL licensed

They seem to have a pretty comprehensive tutorial on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MuseScoreHowTo

I've just downloaded it, and hope to give it a run in due time.  For those of you who have used it, do feel free to share your views in the comments section.

Jeremy

Dedrick Koh, Singaporean Classical Guitar Teacher, Blogger & Writer

I first met Dedrick Koh at the Singapore Guitar Show.  He was invited to the private viewing of the show, and I had the privilege to show him around.  He was very friendly and seemed to have quite a bit of experience playing with a variety of classical guitars.  I remembered clearly as he wore a protective sleeve on his right arm as he tried some of the guitars, not wishing to leave any mark on the guitars.


As I spoke to him, he shared his experiences playing the guitar as well as trying out guitars in other countries.  From what I could tell, he is extremely observant when it comes to music and guitars.  He spoke from experience, carried no airs and remained very humble in all my conversations with him.


In my recent quest for a new classical guitar, I approached him for his advice and opinions.  We spoke at length initially and he very graciously opened his house for me to try some of his guitars.  I really appreciated that gesture and had a great time at his place.


Do check out his website at http://www.dedrickkoh.com/ where you can read several of his articles as well as watch videos of his playing.


Jeremy 

Zhou Family Bursary Award

"Promising beneficiaries of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) will have the opportunity to further develop their arts education through a new bursary award established by up-and-coming Chinese artist Zhou Su Yin and her family.

The Zhou Family has an illustrious involvement in the arts, notably their daughter Zhou Su Yin who had held one of the most successful art exhibitions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2009 and was the youngest artist to ever exhibit at the site. The Zhou Family Bursary Award was established as a legacy of the Zhous’ support for the arts and their belief that no child should be denied the opportunity to fully develop their talents in the arts if they have a strong interest and commitment to acquire the art skills.

A maximum of 5 bursary awards valued at SGD$2,000 each will be given out every year for five years to talented BT BAF beneficiaries who have completed at least one year of study at The Little Arts Academy (LAA). This sum can be used towards specialist training, examination fees, agreed overseas performance opportunities and the purchase of arts resources such as musical instruments, attire, books and materials."

Here is an example of an arts related bursary award which I encountered recently.  Its encouraging to know that the above mentioned Zhou Family and The Business Times Budding Artist Fund are always on their toes to help those who are from lower socio-economic statuses to develop their talents.

Just in case you thought of applying, application has closed.  Contact Little Arts Academy for more information!

Infomation taken from: http://www.thelittleartsacademy.com/2010/11/zhou-family-bursary-award-established-for-promising-beneficiaries-of-the-business-times-budding-artists-fund/

Let me know if there are other examples of such funds locally!

Jeremy

EZ Slide Chord

According to the promotional video, the invention was to help a guitarist who lost his finger to continue playing the guitar.  This device frets a movable bar chord shape, and the guitarist would just have to move the device up and down the neck to play various chords, and shift it laterally to get the minor chords.  Check out the promotional video.

I would recommend this device to anyone who has physical impairments which would prevent him from learning the guitar.  You could strum along to plenty of songs with this device, and would be a good tool to help you enjoy music.


But if you can learn the guitar the good old fashion way; hard work, callouses, cramps and lots of practice, do yourself a favor and give this device a miss.


Jeremy

Michael Jackson's This Is It - They Don't Care About Us - Dancing Inmates

I came across this video on YouTube.  The description reads:

Filipino, Philippines "Dancing Inmates" from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT.

I'm not sure how you feel after watching this, but at least these inmates would have had something interesting to do.  I do see enjoyment in some of their faces.  I do hope that they would feel a sense of fulfillment after this amazing performance, and perhaps inspire them to do something with their lives, no matter where they are.


Jeremy

The Soul of Antonio de Torress "1867": Isao Kitaguchi

CD Album Art 

I picked up this CD at a local clearance sale, attracted by the name "Antonio de Torres".  I did not expect much from CD; being unfamiliar with Isao Kitaguchi and the fact that more than half of the characters on the rear of the CD case was Japanese.  This must be one of the best kept secrets of classical guitar recordings.


All the tracks were performed on a 1867, Antonio de Torres.  Antonio de Torres is known as the Stradivari of the guitar world, and almost all the instruments are well documented in the book, Antonio de Torres, Guitar Maker - His Live & Work by Jose L. Romanillos.


The guitar in the CD is also known as FE27A, Spruce/Rosewood with a tornavoz. According to the description in the book, it does not seem like anything to write home about.  But the CD is definitely something to recommend to all guitar players.


Two of my favorite pieces are La Catedral and Madrigal by Barrios.  These lyrical pieces really made the guitar sing and you could really feel the guitarist and the composer's intent.  All the pieces are really played very well, and inspiring to any student of the classical guitar.


The CD is from Japan, from COSMO VILLAGE Co., Ltd.  Recorded in 1995 at the Guitar Culture Museum at 88.2kHz sampling.  It is interesting that some of the background sound, like breathing and external sounds was recorded as well.  Not necessary a bad thing, as it lends a sense of realism.  The dome of the Museum also added some reverb to the sound of the guitar.


Track Listing:
1)  Barrios: La Catedral (7:36)
2)  Barrios: El Ultimo Tremolo (3:13)
3)  Barrios: Oracion (02:53)
4)  Barrios: Villancico de Navidad (3:02)
5)  Barrios: Un Sueno en la Floresta (6:28)
6)  Mompou: Coral (2:16)
7)  Mompou: Cuna (3:03)
8)  Tarrega: Adelita (1:44)
9)  Tarrega: Marieta (2:02)
10) Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 5 (3:26)
11) Barrios: Comtemplacion (4:15)
12) Barrios: Julia Florida (3:18)
13) Barrios: Madrigal (3:07)
14) Barrios: Vals No. 2 (3:08)
15) Barrios: Vals op.8-3 (3:11)
16) Barrios: Vals op.8-4 (3:56)
17) Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra (4:44)
Total Time 61:29


Jeremy

The Sound of Spain: David Merrin

The Sound of Spain - Album Cover

This CD is, in my opinion, phenomenal.  


Granary Guitars is a private classical guitar collection by Alun Morgan.  Some of the most historical and legendary guitars are in his collection, its the stuff dreams are made of.  Do follow the link at the bottom for more information.


This CD is played by David Merrin, who is a guitar maker (luthier).  He is also the luthier who performs any restoration work needed on the guitars in the Granary Guitar collection.  His performance in the CD is amazing, I would have thought that he would be a professional player, rather than a luthier.  The link to his website is at the bottom.


Back to the CD, each of the pieces are played with a different guitar.  Some of the differences are pronounced, some hardly noticeable.  My favorite track is 15, Spanish Dance No.4 by E. Granados played on a 1965, Hernandez y Aguado, Spruce & Brazilian Rosewood.  The repetitive melody with harmonics is enchanting and captivating.


Track 4,  Capricho Arabe by F. Tarrega played on a 1894, Vicente Arias, Spruce & Cypress is another magnificent piece.


Overall, I would believe that this CD is amazing for the price.  Not just for the guitars represented, but also the level of playing and the selection of the music.  An interesting piece of information is that the recordings were started in 2007, in Holy Trinity Church, Weston Hertfordshire, instead of a regular recording studio.  I would recommend it to everyone who is fond of classical music.  Definitely worth seeking out.


Track Listing:
1)  Sor: Minuet in A major – Antonio de Lorca  (2:30)

2)  Sor: Study in E minor – Louis Panormo  (3:19)

3)  Tárrega: Gran Vals – Agustín Altimira  (2:13)

4)  Tárrega: Capricho Arabe – Vicente Arias  (5:13)

5)  Llobet: Canço del Lladre – Manuel Ramírez  (2:07)

6)  Albéniz: Granada – Enrique Garcia  (5:36)

7)  Granados: Spanish Dance No. 10 – Francisco Simplicio  (4:46)

8)  Torroba: Nocturno – Hermann Hauser I  (3:31)

9)  Turina: Garrotín – Santos Hernández  (2:31)

10) Turina: Soleares – Arcángel Fernández  (2:11)

11) Albéniz: Cádiz - Domingo Esteso  (4:47)

12) Granados: Spanish Dance No. 5 – Robert Bouchet  (4:46)

13) Albéniz: Capricho Catalán – Ignacio Fleta  (4:18)

14) Granados: La Maja de Goya – Miguel Rodriguez  (4:55)

15) Granados: Spanish Dance No. 4 - Hernández y Aguado  (6:30)

16) Torroba: Sonatina 1st movement – Manuel Contreras  (4:04)

17) Albéniz: Asturias – Daniel Friederich  (6:56)

18) Mompou: Canción – José Ramírez III  (2:01)

19) Albéniz: Córdoba – José Romanillos & Son  (7:15)                       

Total Time 79:40

http://www.granary-guitars.com

http://www.davidmerringuitars.com

Buy: The Sound of Spain CD from Amazon.co.uk

Jeremy