Forbes Henderson and The Bach Chaconne -Part 1

As I am about to spend the next couple of months concentrating on the available works of J.S.BACH in arrangement or transcription for Guitar,I decided to work on the Bach Chaconne so hopped on to youtube to dig into the best interpretations of this masterwork and happily stumbled on to the arrangement by my English colleague FORBES HENDERSON and it opened up a vast field of possibilities for me. I have been on the scene here in New York since my 1st Guitar plucking days in 1957 and over the decades I have heard the finest instrumentalists play this deeply moving work and I must state that this version by Forbes Henderson digs new ground in the Chaconne's interpretation.I was floored by the depth of sensitivity given to the variations.I immediately submitted my comment on his performance online and was happy to have him almost immediately send me an e-mail thanking me for my comments. Not only was ideas in certain variations thought provoking his magnificent SIMON AMBRIDGE guitar was very,very impressive in character.I informed Forbes that I would be extending my reaction to his excellent performance in my blogg and here is the 1st part of it.As I am writing this post, I had his performance in the background and am now listening to Heifetz teach it in his masterclass. I have a book of essays on various artists explaining their approach to playing this deep piece. I am working also with the Abel Carlevarro Masterclass Book on the Chaconne. W H E W ! I know I may be too wildly getting into this but it has been a rush for me to use all of these various learning techniques. Anyway, I heartily pat my dear colleague FORBES HENDERSON on the back for opening my ears a little wider to the beauty in the music of the great one and for playing so beautifully on an outstanding instrument. When you check out Forbes' youtube performance,it will be in two installments.Also as a side note, there is a video on youtube of SIMON AMBRIDGE building one of his instruments which may interest you.I am always so darn happy to see names pop back into view that I have known from decades ago and Forbes Henderson was a young performing titan in the 70s/80s and I know in my record collection, there is a recording somewhere.I also believe you can check out a young Forbes Henderson in the series of masterclasses conducted by JULIAN BREAM in the 70/s. That time frame had quite a number of great young players on the English Guitar Scene and I will post that info as I verify my info so you too can mind the gold that is the You Tube Magic.There will be a part two of this post because I want to see if I can buy a copy of Forbes version. Again my deep thanks to Forbes for his kindness in letting me know his appreciation of my comments on his lovely performance!

CELIL REFIK KAYA _ YOUNG LEGEND

The young super virtuoso Classical Guitarist who just won 2nd place in the GFA Competition, CELIL REFIK KAYA, has got to be experienced by anyone who wants to be on the ground floor of witnessing a legend. A child prodigy in Turkey,he continues to astound everyone who hears and sees him! H E IS T O T A L L Y A W E S O M E !!!!!!!His interpretation and technical facility is absolutely mind boggling! At the recently concluded Mannes Guitar Seminar, he played the required set piece for the GFA competition early in the participants Sunday recital and then rushed off to get his plane for the GFA Competition! I dearly love this great young legend and if you jump on youtube, you will see that he has been a Guitar Monster since childhood appearing many times on Turkish Television. He has been a student of MICHAEL NEWMAN at The MANNES COLLEGE of MUSIC ( Where he just completed his undergraduate degree) and he will be going on to the MANHATTAN SCHOOL of MUSIC for his Doctorate. If you have a head on your shoulders remember this name! We are in the audience of one of the greatest musicians in Musical History. The fact that he plays our beloved instrument should make us all so very,very proud! I will be updating you on my dear fantastic friend asap.Let me give that name and website to you once more : CELIL REFIK KAYA I also must mention that he is a COMPETITION ANIMAL having competed in an astounding amount of competitions since childhood! I was surprised when I saw that he was only rewarded with 2nd place at the GFA! This young man is HERCULEAN in ARTISTRY and should receive 1ST place in anything he enters HE IS THAT GREAT!!!!! Congratulations my dear young MAESTRO!!! MAY you continue to grow!

EMMANUEL LABOR DVD

I recently posted comments on the Great Austrailian Guitarist TOMMY EMMANUEL and yesterday picked up a DVD "EMMANUEL LABOR" on which he teaches you pieces from his three major CDS!This great artist is so enthusiastic about playing and sharing his techniques! This Mel Bay Video is a "MUST HAVE" if you want to build super chops. I rushed home,put the video in with guitar in hand and began the 1st few lessons. W H E W . W H A T A R U S H !!!! Tommy stresses that you have got to work hard to play well and I am so happy that he consistently tells you this throughout the lessons. This one on one with this great virtuoso is precious! There is no pdf files to mess around with. It is as thought you were in his house directly taking lessons with him in a very casual manner. I love this video and if you want to hone some serious Guitar chops, this is your video. I also would direct you to YOUTUBE to find a TON of his videos. His Beatles Medley and Chet Atkins Medley are mind blowing examples of his great craft. What I particularly enjoy about him is his constant joy of performing! He has a lot of fun and transmits that joy with every note he plays! Jump on the knowledge band wagon and learn from perhaps the greatest all around guitarist of our time : TOMMY EMMANUEL .

Rupert Boyd in Concert

One of my favorite young Guitar Virtuosos will be performing tonight at the Greenwich House School of Music at 46 Barrow street in Greenwich Village at 7pm. His name is RUPERT BOYD and he is G R E A T !!! For $15 Dollars/ $10 for Students/Seniors, he will floor you with his incredible Musicality and Mastery. I have followed him for several years and he is just top notch. He is Australian living here in New York and I would advise you to check out both YOUTUBE and his Website,rupertboyd.com to bone up on this great talent. I will be coming straight from a gig myself at the Staten Island Ferry so will have my rig with me but I can't miss a chance to experience this young pro do his thing! Hope you will join me as the ticket price includes WINE and CHEESE! W O W ! What a bargain. Be there or be square! See you later and I will be reviewing this super kid display all his guitar charm!